A former NFL linebacker is in serious legal trouble after a domestic call turned into a homicide investigation. Darron Lee, 31, was taken into custody on Thursday, and charged with first-degree murder following the death of his girlfriend.
According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a home in Ooltewah, Tennessee, on a report that someone was performing CPR. When first responders arrived, they found a woman in critical condition, but despite their attempts to save her, she didn’t make it.
While authorities haven’t released the victim’s name yet, they didn’t take long to identify Lee as the primary suspect. Investigators on the scene noted that the state of the home and the victim’s injuries were consistent with a homicide. In addition to the murder charge, Lee is facing a count of tampering with evidence. Reports from the scene suggest there were signs that someone had tried to clean up blood in several areas of the house before police got there. Because of the severity of the situation, Lee is currently being held without bond as he waits for his first court appearance.
Lee was once one of the most promising young talents in football, coming out of Ohio State as a top prospect. The New York Jets scooped him up with the 20th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, where he played for three seasons. He eventually moved on to the Kansas City Chiefs and was part of the roster that won Super Bowl LIV, before ending his professional run with the Buffalo Bills in 2020.
This latest arrest follows a pattern of legal issues for the former athlete, who was previously charged with domestic violence in 2023. Lee is scheduled to appear before a judge on February 11.
