Aaron Hernandez: A Rise and Fall

Episode 4: The Crime That Changed Everything

Part 1: A Night in North Attleborough

It was June 17, 2013, a warm summer night in North Attleborough, Massachusetts. For Aaron Hernandez, it seemed like an ordinary evening. He and two friends, Ernest Wallace and Carlos Ortiz, left his home in a rented silver Nissan Altima. Their destination was the industrial outskirts of town—a secluded spot near a gravel pit.

Odin Lloyd, a 27-year-old semi-professional football player and friend of Aaron’s, was with them. Lloyd was dating the sister of Aaron’s fiancée, Shayanna Jenkins, and the two men had spent time together before. But something had shifted in their relationship. In the days leading up to that night, Aaron had grown suspicious of Lloyd, accusing him of talking too much and possibly betraying him.

At 3:23 a.m., gunshots echoed through the quiet streets. Odin Lloyd was found hours later by a jogger—a bullet-riddled body lying face down in an industrial park. He still had his cellphone in his pocket.

Part 2: The Investigation Begins

The discovery of Lloyd’s body triggered a swift and intense investigation. Police quickly linked the murder to Aaron Hernandez, whose home was less than a mile from the crime scene. Surveillance footage from Aaron’s own security system showed him holding a gun shortly after the time of the murder.

Investigators also found damning evidence inside the rented Nissan Altima: shell casings that matched those found at the scene. Text messages from Lloyd’s phone painted a chilling picture of his final hours, including one message sent to his sister: “U see who I’m with?”

The public was stunned as the details unfolded. Aaron Hernandez, the NFL star with a $40 million contract, was now the prime suspect in a murder investigation.

Part 3: Arrest and Fallout

On June 26, 2013, police arrived at Aaron’s mansion with an arrest warrant. He was led out in handcuffs, a sight that shocked the sports world. Less than two hours later, the New England Patriots released him from the team.

The swift action by the Patriots was unprecedented. The organization, known for its strict standards, made it clear they would not stand by Aaron amid such serious allegations. Fans who had once cheered for him now turned their backs. Patriots jerseys bearing his name were burned in public displays of anger and disappointment.

Aaron was charged with first-degree murder, as well as five additional weapons-related offenses. He pleaded not guilty, but the evidence against him was overwhelming.

Part 4: A Web of Violence

As investigators dug deeper into Aaron’s past, they uncovered a pattern of violent behavior that had gone unchecked for years. Stories emerged of nightclub altercations, threats, and alleged assaults.

Even more shocking, Aaron was implicated in a 2012 double homicide in Boston. Surveillance footage and witness testimony linked him to the deaths of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, two men gunned down in their car after an encounter with Aaron at a nightclub.

The revelations painted a picture of a man leading a double life—an NFL star on one side and a volatile, dangerous individual on the other.

Part 5: The Trial of Aaron Hernandez

Aaron’s trial for the murder of Odin Lloyd began in early 2015. It was a spectacle, drawing national attention. The prosecution argued that Aaron orchestrated the killing because he felt disrespected by Lloyd, who knew too much about his involvement in the 2012 double homicide.

The defense, meanwhile, tried to cast doubt on the evidence, suggesting that Aaron’s friends, Wallace and Ortiz, were more directly involved in the murder. But the jury was unconvinced.

On April 15, 2015, Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder. The conviction carried a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Closing Thoughts

Aaron Hernandez had fallen from the pinnacle of fame to the depths of disgrace. Once celebrated as a gifted athlete, he was now a convicted murderer, his legacy forever tarnished.

But the story of Aaron Hernandez doesn’t end there. In the next episode, we’ll explore his life behind bars, the surprising developments in his legal battles, and the tragedy that would ultimately define his legacy.