HAMILTON COUNTY, an affidavit has revealed new details in the death of a former NFL player’s girlfriend, who authorities say was found deceased with multiple injuries inside a Tennessee home.
Darron Lee, a former NFL linebacker and member of Ohio State’s 2014 national championship football team, has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the case.
According to the affidavit, Lee was detained while deputies secured the residence and obtained a search warrant. Investigators stated that he declined to answer questions during the initial response.
Deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office were called Thursday to a home on Snow Cone Way in Ooltewah. First responders located a woman at the residence, who later died from her injuries.
The affidavit states that Lee told deputies he found the woman unconscious on a couch and believed she may have fallen in the shower.
Investigators said conditions inside the home raised concerns. While there were no signs of forced entry, deputies reported finding broken glass in the kitchen and blood evidence in multiple areas of the house. Authorities noted that the amount and placement of the blood did not align with Lee’s account.
According to investigators, testing indicated blood had been cleaned from several areas of the home, suggesting an attempt to remove evidence.
Detectives also documented injuries on Lee that they said were consistent with a physical struggle, including injuries to his face, hands, and chest.
The affidavit further stated that blood was found inside the case of Lee’s cell phone. His phone and clothing were collected as evidence.
During a search of the home, investigators reported the woman had sustained multiple injuries, including an apparent wound to her abdomen, bruising to her head and eyes, injuries to her arms and torso, and what appeared to be a bite mark on her shoulder. Her body was transported to a forensic center for an autopsy.
Lee was a standout linebacker at Ohio State and was named defensive MVP of the Buckeyes’ Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama in 2015, which helped secure the program’s most recent national title.
After playing high school football in New Albany, Lee entered the NFL Draft early and was selected in the first round by the New York Jets. He later played for Kansas City, Buffalo, and Las Vegas, and won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs.
