196: Drugs, Murder & Dark Secrets | A Deep Dive into the Downfall of NFL Star Aaron Hernandez

Aaron Hernandez's life, from a troubled childhood to a star football career and troubling behaviour, illuminates how deep-seated personal challenges can shadow even the brightest successes.

Hernandez grew up in a troubled, abusive household, which shaped his later behaviors and struggles with identity.

Aaron Hernandez was raised in Bristol, Connecticut, in a home marked by toxic and tumultuous dynamics between his parents, who both had legal issues. He and his brother DJ were subjected to frequent beatings by their father, Dennis, who enforced a rule to avoid the face so external marks of the abuse weren’t visible. This severe disciplinarian attitude extended to situations where Dennis felt like administering beatings when drunk, regardless of the boys’ behavior.

Hernandez's father was physically abusive towards him and his brother, leaving lasting trauma.

The father's violence wasn't only targeted at Aaron and DJ but also towards their mother, Terry. It was common for Aaron to attend school with visible marks and bruises from these encounters.

Hernandez may have been sexually abused as a child, which contributed to his confusion about his sexuality.

Aaron confided in people close to him that he was sexually molested as a child, which led to confusion about his sexuality. Kyle Kennedy, a close relation, shared insights into Hernandez’s vulnerability and struggle with his sexual identity, indicating Aaron felt he was "hiding in his own skin" and wanted to be open about himself. The death of Hernandez’s father when Aaron was 16 compounded these difficulties, leading him to immerse himself further into football.

Hernandez channeled his energy into football, becoming a star player in high school and college.

Football became Hernandez’s refuge and space for achievement. He excelled in the sport, even being named Gatorade's Football Player of the Year while in high school and catching the eye of many college scouts. His prowess on the field continued through college at the University of Florida, highlighted by being awarded the best collegiate tight end after his junior year.

Hernandez's athletic talents and potential l ...

Aaron Hernandez, former NFL star, found himself at the center of a series of violent incidents and legal troubles that shocked the sports world and the public.

Hernandez was involved in multiple violent incidents, including a possible double homicide, prior to the murder of Odin Lloyd.

Multiple reports place Hernandez at the scenes of serious crimes. He was believed to be present during a shooting in 2012 in Boston, where Daniel and Sefiro were killed, but Hernandez was not charged due to a lack of definitive evidence. Although witnesses testified seeing him in a silver SUV like that from which the shots were fired and identified him on security footage, authorities deemed this a coincidence. Yet another incident involved a shooter resembling Hernandez who attacked two men after a club altercation, though this case also lacked sufficient evidence and remains cold. Additionally, Hernandez's prison mate, Kyle Kennedy, claimed that Hernandez admitted to a fourth, undisclosed murder.

Involvement in violent incidents and encounters with law enforcement

Details of Hernandez's run-ins with the law often involved his appearance at clubs and his activities immediately after. Despite his presence in locations linked to violent acts and the questioning by police, the lack of conclusive proof left him uncharged before the murder of Odin Lloyd.

Hernandez's relationship with Odin Lloyd, a semi-pro football player, was complex and ultimately led to Lloyd's murder.

Odin Lloyd was a semi-pro football player for the Boston Bandits and aspired to play in the NFL. Known for his big smile and dedication, Lloyd was intent on using football to provide for his family and to escape the tough neighborhood of Dorchester. His connection with Hernandez seemed beneficial on the surface due to Hernandez's NFL status, leading to shared social outings and even an invitation to a Patriots game in a box suite that Hernandez arranged.

Complex friendship with underlying tensions

However, underlying tensions existed between Lloyd and Hernandez, which intensified after a night out at a nightclub. Hernandez ...

In 2013, the murder of Odin Lloyd and the subsequent trial and conviction of Aaron Hernandez shocked the nation, bringing intense media scrutiny and public interest.

Odin Lloyd was found murdered in an industrial park near Hernandez's home, with significant evidence linking Hernandez to the crime.

On the evening of June 17th, 2013, Odin Lloyd, a 27-year-old man, was found dead in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. Aaron Hernandez, along with Ernest Wallace and Carlos Ortiz, picked up Odin Lloyd in a silver Nissan Altima. Surveillance footage captured Lloyd entering the car, and text messages he sent to his sister during the ride hinted at his unease, as he pointed out he was with "NFL," referring to Hernandez.

After the group stopped at an industrial park close to Hernandez's home, only Hernandez, Wallace, and Ortiz returned, leaving Lloyd behind. Later, a high school student found Lloyd's body with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators, connecting the dots, learned Lloyd had a key to a Chevy Suburban that Hernandez had rented, and detectives went to Hernandez's home that same night.

In addition, a worker at a rental car facility found trash from a car Hernandez returned that included bubble gum stuck to a bullet shell casing, which was linked to Hernandez after surveillance footage showed him purchasing the same type of gum. Moreover, surveillance footage from Hernandez's home showed him with a gun shortly after the murder, and a marijuana joint found near Lloyd's body had DNA from both men. Shoe prints at the crime scene were consistent with a pair of Nikes linked to Hernandez.

Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Odin Lloyd and sentenced to life in prison.

The trial captured national attention as over 100 witnesses, including Hernandez's fiancée Shiana Jenkins, who testified about removing a trash bag from t ...

The sudden death of Aaron Hernandez by suicide in prison, coming so soon after being acquitted of a separate double homicide, prompted numerous questions and theories regarding the circumstances and motivations involved.

Hernandez's death by suicide in prison, shortly after being acquitted of a separate double homicide, raised questions and suspicions.

Aaron Hernandez was found hanging in his prison cell with a bed sheet tied to a window, just days after being acquitted of a double homicide charge. On his forehead were the words John 3:16, suggesting a biblical reference. The official cause of death was ruled a suicide, but this didn't stop widespread speculation. Hernandez's fiancée did not believe he took his own life and suggested he may have been murdered or the victim of foul play.

Theories about Hernandez's potential motivations for suicide, such as financial considerations or mental health issues, were widely speculated.

One theory suggested that Hernandez committed suicide to allow his fiancée and daughter to receive money from his NFL contract, as his conviction for the murder of Odin Lloyd was vacated posthumously, which could technically restore his status as a non-convicted individual and thus preserve any earnings his family might be entitled to. Additionally, there were thoughts that Hernandez might have been driven by mental health issues, particularly the effects of CTE, which is associated with symptoms such as mood swings and suicidal ideations.

Hernandez's history of head trauma and the po ...