Former NFL Player Aaron Hernandez Found Dead In His Prison Cell

30:00

Updated April 19, 2017

Shira Springer, Fred Thys, Caitlin O'Keefe, Kathleen McNerney, Tonya Mosley

Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez cries as he turns to defense attorney Ronald Sullivan reacting to his double murder acquittal at Suffolk Superior Court Friday, April 14, 2017 in Boston. Hernandez stood trial for the July 2012 killings of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado who he encountered in a Boston nightclub. The former NFL player is already serving a life sentence in the 2013 killing of semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, Pool)

Aaron Hernandez, a tight end for the New England Patriots between 2010 and 2012, was found hanging in his cell on Wednesday morning at approximately 3:05 a.m., according to the state Department of Corrections. Hernandez, who was serving life without parole for the murder of Odin Lloyd, had just been acquitted of two additional murder charges five days ago.

In a statement, DOC spokesman Christopher Fallon wrote: "Mr. Hernandez hanged himself utilizing a bed sheet that he attached to his cell window. Mr. Hernandez also attempted to block his door from the inside by jamming the door with various items."

Hernandez's lawyer, Jose Baez, wrote: "Aaron was looking forward to an opportunity for a second chance to prove his innocence. Those who love and care about him are heartbroken and determined to find the truth surrounding his untimely death."

Guests

Fred Thys, reporter for WBUR. He tweets @fredthys .

Lisa Newman-Polk, attorney and licensed social worker. Former mental health professional in Souza Baranowski.

Shira Springer, sports and society reporter for WBUR. She tweets @ShiraSpringer.

This article was originally published on April 19, 2017.

This segment aired on April 19, 2017.

Former NFL Player Aaron Hernandez Found Dead In His Prison Cell

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