Former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills linebacker Darron Lee was arrested on Thursday in his girlfriend’s Ooltewah, Tennessee, home this Thursday. An affidavit reveals gruesome new details as the Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs faces further charges.

On the afternoon of February 5, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies were called to a Snow Cone Way home to a report of CPR in progress around 1:34 p.m. The residence is close to Ooltewah, a small community just outside Chattanooga, approximately two and a half hours from Nashville. However, the victim succumbed to the injuries. Preliminary findings indicate the victim’s death was the result of a homicide.

Reports suggest that the police identified her boyfriend, Darron Lee, at home as the suspect and was taken into custody at the scene.

“Lee has reportedly been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence,” as per TMZ Sports. “According to jail records, he is being held without bond and has a court appearance scheduled for this coming Wednesday.”

Lee told the deputies that he found his girlfriend unconscious on the couch when he arrived, believing she had fallen in the shower, begging the question, why was he the primary suspect?

According to the affidavit from the crime scene, the home’s condition was concerning. While there were no signs of forced entry, the police did find broken glass in the kitchen and blood in multiple areas of the house. But these findings put Lee in the spotlight:

• Lee’s testimony and the amount and location of the blood found by the investigators did not match.
• Upon further inspection, once the police obtained a search warrant for the house, they found cleaning supplies in unusual places. The affidavit states that forensic testing reveals blood had been cleaned from several areas of the home, suggesting an attempt to conceal evidence.
• According to the detectives, Lee had injuries consistent with a physical struggle. These included injuries to his face, hands, and chest. Moreover, blood evidence was also found inside the case of his cell phone. His clothes and phone have been seized.

Based on the evidence, investigators charged Darron Lee with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. According to inmate records, he is being held at the Hamilton County prison and has a February 11 court date. Lee refused to answer questions. Meanwhile, the body was taken to the Forensic Center for autopsy.

Investigators documented multiple injuries to the victim, including a suspected stab wound to the abdomen, severe bruising to her head and eyes, bruises on her arms and torso, and what appeared to be a human bite mark on her shoulder.

Alcohol, narcotics, and a firearm were also found inside the residence, according to the affidavit, only adding more suspicion to Lee. No other details were released.

However, this isn’t the first time the former NFL player has faced legal issues.

Darron Lee’s NFL career and legal issues

After starring at the Ohio State University and winning the national championship in 2014, the New York Jets selected the Buckeyes standout with the 20th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. During three seasons with the Jets, he totaled 241 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and four sacks.

However, off-field issues quietly followed him as his run with the Jets ended after a four-game suspension in 2018 for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy. Still, Lee landed on his feet the following year.

In 2019, the Jets traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2020 sixth-round pick, giving him a fresh start in the city of fountains. He went on to be part of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV championship roster, although he remained inactive for the title game.

His career soon started to drift.

Although Lee joined the Buffalo Bills in 2020, he only played in two games and struggled to secure a defined role. Then, in 2021, he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders but did not appear in any games. Since then, he has continued to face legal issues.

In 2023, Lee faced arrest for assault and violence. In a separate incident detailed in an arrest report, he allegedly threw a phone at a woman and assaulted her.

As the investigators continue their search for more answers and confirmation, Lee waits in prison for his court date.