A former linebacker for the New York Jets has been taken into police custody in connection with the death of his girlfriend after he was found with scratches on his face and hands.
On Thursday, February 5, deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call around 1:30 p.m. that “life-saving measures” were in progress at a residence in Ooltewah, Tennessee. Despite their efforts, the woman — whose name, description and age have not yet been publicly released — was pronounced dead at the scene. It was later discovered the victim had what they believed to be a stab wound to her abdomen, several bruises on her body and an apparent bite mark on her shoulder.
While investigating her death, officers questioned the victim’s boyfriend, Darron Lee, who claimed he’d found his girlfriend unconscious. According to police, he theorized that she may have fallen and hit her head while taking a shower. However, authorities said his statements didn’t appear to match the “concerning conditions” present in the home, including broken glass in the kitchen and blood on the floors, walls and in Lee’s cell phone case. He also allegedly had scratch-like injuries on his hands, face and chest that indicated a physical struggle.
Detectives’ preliminary findings suggested the woman’s death was a homicide.
Lee, 31, was swiftly deemed a suspect and arrested that same day. He’s been charged with first-degree murder. He was additionally charged with tampering with evidence for allegedly attempting to clean blood stains from the scene, according to a police affidavit seen by Local 3 News. He could still face additional charges as the investigation continues.
Prior to his arrest, Lee was a college football star who went on to play for the New York Jets after he was selected in the 2016 NFL draft. He was with the team for roughly two to three years before he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. The next year, he signed with the Buffalo Bills. Throughout his professional football career, he was suspended at least twice for allegedly using performance enhancing drugs or other unspecified substance abuse-related violations.
In 2023, Lee was arrested in connection with an alleged domestic abuse incident. According to the arrest report seen by ABC affiliate News 9, the 31-year-old pushed a woman against a wall, “throwing her to the floor and striking her face and head 8 to 9 times with his closed fists.”
Lee was also accused of throwing a phone at a different woman in a separate incident, allegedly striking her in the head and “causing her ear to bleed.” The report claimed he had also grabbed “her neck while punching the pillow beside her head, causing red marks on her neck.”
Lee is at the Hamilton County Jail and is being held without bail. His next court date is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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