Just under two weeks after being found not guilty in his double murder trial associated with a July 2012 shooting, former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was found dead in his prison cell. Officials at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Mass. released a statement on Wednesday morning that he hanged himself just after 3 a.m.
Per officials at the prison, Hernandez used a bed sheet and blocked entry to his cell with items. He was pronounced dead at 4:07 a.m.
Asked by CNBC days ago for one word to associate with Aaron Hernandez, Bill Belichick said, "tragedy."
From beginning to end, a tragedy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 19, 2017
The full statement is as follows:
On April 19, 2017 Aaron Hernandez was discovered hanged in his cell by corrections officers at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley Massachusetts at approximately 3:06 a.m., lifesaving techniques were attempted on Mr. Hernandez and he was transported to UMASS leominster where he was pronounced dead at 4:07 a.m. by a physician at the hospital.. Mr. Hernandez was in a single cell in a general population housing unit. Mr. Hernandez hanged himself utilizing a bed sheet that he attached to his cell window. Mr. Hernandez also attempted to lock his door from the inside by jamming the door with various items. The Massachusetts State Police are on the scene and the investigation continues. Mr. Hernandez’s next of kin have been notified.
Hernandez, a fourth-round draft pick from Florida in 2010, was found guilty in the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd after a highly-publicized trial and was serving a life sentence where he was ineligible for parole.
