Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee, a first-round pick by the New York Jets in 2016, is facing a first-degree murder charge following the death of his former girlfriend, Gabriella Carvalho Perpetuo. The case, unfolding in Tennessee, has taken a grim turn, with prosecutors now seeking the death penalty.
According to authorities, Lee appeared before a judge who ordered that he be held without bond. The details emerging from the investigation paint a disturbing picture.
Perpetuo was found with multiple injuries, including a stab wound, a broken neck, bruises, and a bite mark. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department has ruled the death a homicide, with the official cause listed as blunt force trauma.
Lee was taken into custody last week after a call to the residence led law enforcement to the scene. The case is now moving forward through the Tennessee legal system as prosecutors prepare for a capital case.
Lee’s NFL career began with promise. Drafted 20th overall out of Ohio State, he spent three seasons with the Jets, showing flashes of the athleticism and speed that made him a standout in college.
In 2019, he joined the Kansas City Chiefs and was part of their Super Bowl-winning roster that season. His final stint came with the Buffalo Bills in 2020, where he appeared in just two games before stepping away from the league.
This latest development is a tragic and shocking chapter in the life of a player once seen as a rising star. As the legal process plays out, the football world watches a deeply troubling story unfold far from the field.