What happened to convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez? Insight into the late NFL star's suicide

Former NFL player Aaron Hernandez was only 27 years old when he was found dead in a Massachusetts jail cell. The professional athlete was the youngest player on an active NFL roster in the 2010 season and received a $40 million contract just two years later. Unfortunately, his life changed drastically in 2013 and fans are curious to know what happened to Hernandez.

What happened to former NFL player Aaron Hernandez?

In 2013, the former New England Patriots player was charged with the premeditated murder of semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd, who was dating the sister of Hernandez's fiancée. Shayanna JenkinsIn April 2015, he was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Before this conviction, he was charged with two counts of murder. In July 2012, two men, Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, were killed in a drive-by shooting outside a Boston club. In April 2017, he was acquitted of the 2012 murders.

Just a week after his acquittal, Hernandez was found dead at 3:05 a.m. on April 19, 2017, after hanging himself from a bedsheet attached to a window in his cell at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Massachusetts. He was then taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead just over an hour later at 4:07 a.m.

Following the news of his death, Hernandez's lawyer said, Jose Baezstated that his death was unexpected for those closest to him. The lawyer also stated that they demanded a thorough state investigation into the circumstances of his death.

“We are shocked and surprised by the news of Aaron's death. There were no conversations or correspondence from Aaron with his family or his legal team that would have indicated that this scenario was possible,” said Jose TMZ in April 2017. “Aaron was looking forward to a second chance to prove his innocence. Those who love and care for him are heartbroken and determined to find out the truth about his untimely death. We call on the authorities to conduct a transparent and thorough investigation.”

Did Aaron Hernandez have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)?

Although Hernandez's motives for the murders were never confirmed, he was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after his death. CTE is a “brain disorder caused by repeated head injuries” and can lead to impulsive and aggressive behavior, emotional instability and suicidal thoughts, according to Mayo Clinic.

Hernandez was “riddled” with stage 3 CTE to an extent that the researchers “had never seen before in our 486 brains,” Ann McKeeDirector of the Center for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University, said during a press conference in November 2017. “Individuals with similarly severe findings … were at least 46 years old at the time of death.”

“We were able to detect damage in the inner chambers of the brain, particularly in the frontal lobes, which are very important for decision-making, judgment and perception,” the researcher explained. “This would be the first case we have ever seen in such a young person with this type of damage.”

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.