Former NFL Linebacker Darron Lee Facing Death Penalty in Tennessee Murder Case
Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee, once a first-round pick of the New York Jets and a Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, is facing the most serious of legal consequences. Prosecutors in Tennessee announced they intend to seek the death penalty after charging Lee with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in connection to the death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo.
Lee, 31, was arrested earlier this month after Perpétuo was found dead inside a rented home in Ooltewah, Tennessee. The details emerging from the investigation paint a deeply disturbing picture.
During a hearing on Wednesday, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Detective Brian Lockhart testified that the crime scene showed signs of extreme violence. Blood was reportedly found throughout the home - on staircases, handrails, walls, and floors - suggesting a prolonged and brutal assault.
Lockhart's testimony also revealed that Perpétuo suffered multiple traumatic injuries, including severe brain trauma, a broken neck, widespread bruising, stab wounds to her legs, and significant facial injuries. Investigators also noted large bite marks on her shoulder and thigh.
Given the nature of the charges and the evidence presented, Lee was denied bond during Wednesday’s proceedings.
This marks a sharp and tragic fall for a player who once stood among college football’s elite. Lee made a name for himself at Ohio State, helping the Buckeyes capture a national championship before entering the 2016 NFL Draft. The Jets selected him in the first round, and he spent three seasons in New York, starting in the middle of their defense.
After his time with the Jets, Lee bounced around the league, with stints in Kansas City, Buffalo, and Las Vegas. His NFL highlight came in the 2019 season, when he was part of the Chiefs roster that won Super Bowl LIV.
This isn’t the first time Lee has faced legal trouble. In 2023, he was arrested in Ohio following allegations from the mother of his child, who told police he had assaulted her.
Now, with these latest charges, Lee’s future is no longer a question of football but of justice. The legal process will continue to unfold in the coming months, but the severity of the allegations - and the prosecution’s pursuit of the death penalty - make this one of the most serious criminal cases involving a former NFL player in recent memory.