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Aaron Hernandez

Aaron Hernandez was an American professional football player who played tight end for the New England Patriots in the NFL.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Aaron Hernandez was an American professional football player who played tight end for the New England Patriots in the NFL. His career ended after he was arrested and convicted in the 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd, and he later died by suicide in prison in 2017. Posthumous brain studies found severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Early life and football career

Aaron Hernandez was born in Bristol, Connecticut, and became a standout football player before joining the NFL. He played tight end for the New England Patriots from 2010 to 2012.

Criminal cases and conviction

Hernandez was arrested and charged in connection with the killing of Odin Lloyd and was convicted of first-degree murder in 2015. He was later acquitted in a separate murder trial involving two other killings from 2012.

Death and posthumous findings

Hernandez died by suicide in prison on April 19, 2017, while serving a life sentence. After his death, researchers reported that he had severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

Public legacy

Hernandez remains a controversial figure because his football success was overshadowed by violent criminal cases and his prison death. His life has been the subject of books, documentaries, and television dramatizations.

Key facts

  • Hernandez played three seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots.
  • He was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Odin Lloyd in 2015.
  • He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
  • He died in prison in April 2017 at age 27.
  • After his death, his brain was found to have severe CTE.
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Canadian context

He is relevant to Canadian readers as part of broader NFL and sports-culture coverage, especially because the Patriots have a large Canadian fan base and Hernandez’s case was widely reported in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Aaron Hernandez?
Aaron Hernandez was an American NFL tight end who played for the New England Patriots and later became known for his murder conviction and prison death.
What happened to Aaron Hernandez?
He was arrested, tried, and convicted for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd, then later died by suicide in prison in 2017.
How did Aaron Hernandez die?
He died by suicide in his prison cell on April 19, 2017, at age 27.
Was Aaron Hernandez guilty?
Yes. He was found guilty of first-degree murder in the Odin Lloyd case in 2015, though he was acquitted in a separate double-homicide trial.
Aaron Hernandez CTE?
After his death, brain examination found severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head impacts.
Aaron Hernandez net worth?
Reliable sources in the provided results do not give a verified final net worth figure, and estimates vary widely.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Hernandez
    Supports: Birth, NFL career, conviction, and death date
  2. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/athletes/aaron-hernandez
    Supports: Career summary, conviction, death, and CTE reporting
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aaron-Hernandez
    Supports: NFL career, conviction, acquittal in separate case, and death
  4. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/21/us/aaron-hernandez-life-death-timeline
    Supports: Death circumstances and timeline
  5. A&E — https://www.aetv.com/articles/aaron-hernandez-cte-murder-suicide-downfall
    Supports: CTE findings and conviction timeline
  6. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/13230/aaron-hernandez
    Supports: NFL identity, position, and birth information