Former NFL Linebacker Darron Lee Charged With Girlfriend's Murder

Former New York Jets first-round draft pick Darron Lee has been charged with first-degree murder after his girlfriend was found dead inside their Tennessee home, and investigators say the evidence contradicted his claim that she fell in the shower.

Hamilton County deputies responded to a 911 call on Feb. 5, 2026, reporting CPR in progress at a residence on Snow Cone Way in Ooltewah, according to NBC News and the Associated Press. Inside the home, they found a woman later identified as Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo dead.

Lee, 31, was present when deputies arrived. He told investigators that Perpétuo had likely fallen in the shower, authorities said.

Evidence at the Scene

Court testimony later revealed far more extensive evidence inside the home.

According to reporting cited by NBC News, investigators described finding blood in every room of the house. Prosecutors allege that the physical evidence did not support Lee’s explanation of an accidental fall.

Authorities charged Lee with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He was arrested at the scene.

During an initial court appearance, a judge denied Lee bond. The Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office stated that the case could be eligible for the death penalty under Tennessee law.

A Prominent Football Career

Lee was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft after playing college football at Ohio State. He later played for other NFL teams during his professional career.

For many football fans, his name is tied to his time as a highly touted linebacker entering the league with first-round expectations.

Now, that career has been overshadowed by the allegations in Tennessee.

Prior Legal Trouble

Prosecutors also disclosed that Lee was on probation in both Florida and Ohio at the time of the February incident.

According to court statements referenced by NBC News and other outlets, those probation terms stemmed from prior domestic violence-related charges. Specific details of those earlier cases were not fully outlined in initial reporting.

The district attorney referenced Lee’s probation status when arguing against bond, citing concerns about public safety and flight risk.

Under U.S. law, Lee is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Community and Legal Fallout

Authorities have not publicly discussed a possible motive in the case. They also have not released additional details about the timeline leading up to Perpétuo’s death.

The allegation that blood was found throughout the home has become a central element of the prosecution’s narrative, sharply contrasting with Lee’s account to deputies.

First-degree murder charges in Tennessee can carry life imprisonment or, in certain circumstances, the death penalty if prosecutors pursue it and a jury agrees.

For now, the case remains in its early stages. Lee remains in custody without bond as the legal process unfolds.

Perpétuo’s death has left family members and friends grieving, while a once-prominent NFL career now sits at the center of a serious criminal prosecution.

As the case moves forward, the court — not public opinion — will determine what happened inside that Tennessee home.

References: Former NFL Linebacker Darron Lee Charged With Girlfriend’s Murder | Former Jets 1st-Round Pick Darron Lee Charged With 1st-Degree Murder in Tennessee | Darron Lee Charged With First-Degree Murder in Girlfriend’s Death