Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee, who was a first-round draft pick by the New York Jets, is now at the center of a serious criminal case in Tennessee. Prosecutors have filed charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence against him in connection with the death of his girlfriend, and they are seeking the death penalty as the case moves forward.

On February 5, police and first responders were called to a home in Ooltewah, Tennessee, after a report of someone needing CPR. Officials found a woman inside the home who later died. Investigators determined her death was a homicide and identified Lee as a suspect.Lee was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He is currently being held without bond and was scheduled for a court hearing on February 11.According to affidavits and police reports, investigators saw signs of trauma and blood inside the residence, and forensic evidence suggested attempts to clean parts of the home. Lee reportedly told deputies he found the woman injured and thought she had fallen, but detectives say the scene did not match that account.Authorities have not released the victim’s identity pending family notification.In this case, prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Lee, which is one of the most serious legal steps possible in a criminal prosecution. That means if Lee is convicted of first-degree murder, the state could pursue a capital punishment sentence.Seeking the death penalty does not mean it is guaranteed, it must be proven to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt, and there would be a separate sentencing phase if Lee is found guilty. This is part of Tennessee’s legal process for the most serious offenses.At the time of writing, the legal process is still in its early stages:

Cases like this are sensitive and evolving, so updates from official court filings and statements from law enforcement will shape how the story moves forward.Darron Lee is a 31-year-old former professional football player. He was drafted 20th overall by the New York Jets in the 2016 NFL Draft after a standout college career at Ohio State University. Lee went on to play in the NFL for teams including the Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, and Buffalo Bills before his career ended in 2020.His name is familiar to many sports fans because he was a highly-rated linebacker coming out of college and spent five seasons in the NFL. But he is now in the news for a serious criminal case, not his athletic career.