Major Controversies Surrounding Aaron Hernandez: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Aaron Hernandez.

Aaron Hernandez was a professional American football player, a tight end for the New England Patriots. His promising career was cut short when he was arrested and subsequently convicted for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. Hernandez's case garnered significant media attention due to his celebrity status and the shocking nature of the crime. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole. While in prison, he was also indicted but later acquitted for a separate double murder. In 2017, Hernandez committed suicide in his prison cell. Posthumous examination of his brain revealed severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

April 28, 2007: Hernandez Involved in Altercation at Restaurant

On April 28, 2007, a 17-year-old Aaron Hernandez consumed alcohol and assaulted a restaurant employee in Gainesville, Florida, rupturing his eardrum after refusing to pay the bill, while with Tim Tebow.

September 30, 2007: Shooting Incident in Gainesville

On September 30, 2007, a shooting occurred in Gainesville, Florida, where five shots were fired at a car containing Randall Carson, Justin Glass, and Corey Smith. Smith was shot in the head, and Glass was shot in the arm. Carson identified Hernandez in a police lineup.

2007: Hernandez Initially Identified in 2007 Shooting

In 2007, Aaron Hernandez was initially identified as the shooter in a shooting in Gainesville, Florida, but the identification was later recanted, and he was not charged at the time.

April 27, 2010: Reported Marijuana Use

On April 27, 2010, it was reported that Aaron Hernandez admitted to scouts at the NFL Combine that he had a history of marijuana use and had failed multiple drug tests in college.

2010: Meyer's Decision

After Hernandez's junior year in 2010, Meyer told him that he would not be welcome back for a fourth year, and that he would have to try to get picked up by a professional team in the 2010 NFL draft.

April 30, 2011: Police Respond to Fight at Hernandez's Townhouse

On April 30, 2011, police responded to a fight in front of Aaron Hernandez's rented townhouse in Plainville, Massachusetts. Earlier, a state trooper pulled over a car with Hernandez as a passenger, going 120 mph, but did not arrest the driver because he recognized Hernandez.

July 16, 2012: Double Homicide Near Cure Lounge

On July 16, 2012, Daniel Jorge Correia de Abreu and Safiro Teixeira Furtado were killed by gunshots fired into their vehicle near the Cure Lounge in Boston's South End. Aaron Hernandez was investigated in connection with the double homicide.

2012: Hernandez Keeps Secret Apartment

In 2012, Aaron Hernandez kept a second apartment secret from his fiancée where he stored drugs and weapons. He told his agent he got his respect through weapons.

2012: Double Homicide of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado

In 2012, Aaron Hernandez was acquitted of the double homicide of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado.

2012: Indicted for Double Homicide

In 2012, Aaron Hernandez was indicted for the double homicide of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado while on trial for the murder of Odin Lloyd.

2012: Bradley Witness to Boston Double Homicide

In 2012, Alexander Bradley was reportedly a witness to the Boston double homicide.

2012: Jenkins Moves Out and Returns

In 2012, Shayanna Jenkins moved out after discovering Aaron Hernandez cheating on her, but returned in the summer. During Hernandez's trial, it was claimed that he had flirted with and kissed the nanny of his daughter. Jenkins testified she wanted to make their relationship work and compromised on his behavior.

2012: Fear of Sexuality Being Revealed

In 2012, prosecutors intended to raise the issue of Aaron Hernandez's sexuality during the double homicide trial, which frightened him, as he wished to keep his sexuality a secret.

January 2013: Bradley Arrested for Drunk Driving

In January 2013, Alexander Bradley was arrested for drunk driving after being pulled over, and Aaron Hernandez tried to intervene by saying, "Trooper, I am Aaron Hernandez. It's okay."

February 13, 2013: Bradley Shot in the Face

On February 13, 2013, Alexander Bradley was shot in the face during a trip, resulting in the loss of his right eye. Bradley claimed Aaron Hernandez pointed a gun at his face, and the next morning, Bradley was found bleeding from a bullet hole between his eyes.

February 2013: Hernandez and Bradley at Strip Club

In February 2013, Aaron Hernandez, Alexander Bradley, and others visited a Florida strip club, where Hernandez became paranoid, thinking two men were plainclothes Boston police officers investigating the double murder outside the Cure Lounge.

April 2013: Purchases of Weapons and Armored Vehicles

In April 2013, Aaron Hernandez purchased a used car with handguns and rifles inside, along with a Chevrolet Suburban outfitted as an armored car. He installed secret compartments in vehicles to store firearms and insisted on tinted windows for fear of being seen by enemies. He also used marijuana, cocaine, and other drugs.

June 13, 2013: Bradley Files Civil Lawsuit Against Hernandez

On June 13, 2013, Alexander Bradley filed a civil lawsuit for damages against Aaron Hernandez in a Florida federal court, which he later withdrew.

June 2013: Belichick Losing Patience with Hernandez

By June 2013, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was losing patience with Aaron Hernandez and planned to have him released from the team.

June 18, 2013: Police Search Hernandez's Home

On June 18, 2013, police searched Aaron Hernandez's home in connection with the murder investigation of Odin Lloyd, whose body was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds in an industrial park close to Hernandez's residence.

June 26, 2013: Hernandez Charged with Murder, Released by Patriots

On June 26, 2013, Aaron Hernandez was charged with first-degree murder and five gun-related charges. Shortly after, the New England Patriots released Hernandez from the team.

July 2013: Gronkowski Declines to Answer Questions About Hernandez

In July 2013, Rob Gronkowski repeatedly declined to answer any questions about Aaron Hernandez in interviews and nearly walked out during a CBS interview until the reporter agreed to change the subject away from his former teammate.

August 22, 2013: Hernandez Indicted for Murder of Lloyd

On August 22, 2013, Aaron Hernandez was indicted by a grand jury for the murder of Odin Lloyd.

September 3, 2013: Hernandez Requests Postponement in Bradley Lawsuit

On September 3, 2013, Aaron Hernandez's lawyers filed a postponement request in federal court for the Bradley lawsuit until his murder charges were resolved.

September 6, 2013: Hernandez Pleads Not Guilty

On September 6, 2013, Aaron Hernandez pled not guilty to the charge of murdering Odin Lloyd.

2013: Authorities Reinvestigate 2007 Shooting

Due to Aaron Hernandez's 2013 arrest and subsequent conviction for the murder of Odin Lloyd, Massachusetts authorities contacted police in Florida to reinvestigate whether Hernandez was suspected to have a role in the 2007 shooting.

2013: Hernandez's Trip to California and Erratic Behavior

In 2013, Aaron Hernandez traveled to California with Shayanna Jenkins and their daughter for shoulder surgery. During this time, Jenkins made two police calls within a week, alleging Hernandez was drunk and violent, including an incident where he broke a window. Reports from Hernandez's brother and friends mentioned the presence of drugs and guns in the rented apartment. D.J. Hernandez found his brother on the roof one night, appearing defeated and handling a gun.

2013: Arrested for Murder of Odin Lloyd

In 2013, Aaron Hernandez was arrested and charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player. Following the arrest, the Patriots released Hernandez.

2013: Increasing Paranoia and Security Measures

In 2013, D.J. described Aaron Hernandez as growing increasingly paranoid, believing the FBI and others were after him. He slept with a knife, collected weapons, hired a bodyguard after the shooting of Alexander Bradley, and installed a surveillance system. Hernandez requested a trade to a team on the other side of the country, but the request was denied.

May 15, 2014: Hernandez Indicted for Double Homicide

On May 15, 2014, Aaron Hernandez was indicted on murder charges for the killings of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, with additional charges of armed assault and attempted murder.

April 15, 2015: Hernandez Found Guilty of Murder

On April 15, 2015, Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder of Odin Lloyd and five firearm charges, resulting in a life sentence without parole.

May 11, 2015: Hernandez Indicted for Witness Intimidation

On May 11, 2015, Aaron Hernandez was indicted for witness intimidation in relation to the Alexander Bradley shooting, carrying a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, since Bradley was reportedly a witness to the 2012 Boston double homicide.

2015: Conviction for Odin Lloyd's Murder

In 2015, Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder in the Odin Lloyd case and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

2015: Filing Appeal for Conviction

In 2015, at the time of his death, Aaron Hernandez was in the process of filing an appeal for his conviction in the murder of Odin Lloyd.

February 2016: Hernandez Reaches Settlement with Bradley

In February 2016, Aaron Hernandez reached a settlement with Alexander Bradley over the lawsuit regarding the shooting. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

March 1, 2017: Double Homicide Trial Begins

On March 1, 2017, Aaron Hernandez's trial began for the double homicide of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado. The prosecution's case heavily relied on testimony by Alexander Bradley.

April 14, 2017: Hernandez Acquitted of Murder Charges

On April 14, 2017, Aaron Hernandez was acquitted of the murders of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado but was found guilty of illegal possession of a handgun.

April 20, 2017: Suicide Note Found

On April 20, 2017, investigators reported that three handwritten notes were found next to a Bible opened to John 3:16 and that "John 3:16" was written on Aaron Hernandez's forehead in red ink.

April 25, 2017: Lawyers File Motion to Vacate Murder Conviction

On April 25, 2017, Aaron Hernandez's lawyers filed a motion to vacate his murder conviction at Massachusetts Superior Court in Fall River.

May 9, 2017: Murder Conviction Vacated

On May 9, 2017, Aaron Hernandez's murder conviction was vacated due to the legal principle of abatement ab initio.

May 9, 2017: District Attorneys Plan to Appeal Ruling

As of May 9, 2017, the Bristol County district attorneys stated they planned to appeal the ruling to vacate Aaron Hernandez's conviction, potentially to the Massachusetts Supreme Court. The Lloyd family was disappointed, though their attorney didn't expect it to affect their wrongful death civil suit.

November 2018: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Hearing

In November 2018, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court heard the appeal regarding Aaron Hernandez's vacated conviction, with the Lloyd family's attorney arguing against the cancellation of the conviction.

2018: Focus of Media Attention

In 2018, Aaron Hernandez's life was the focus of a Boston Globe Spotlight Team investigation and a podcast called "Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez & Football, Inc.", due to increasing concerns about CTE in athletes.

February 2019: Lawsuit Dismissal

In February 2019, the lawsuit filed by Aaron Hernandez's fiancée and daughter against the Patriots and the NFL was dismissed due to a missed deadline to opt out of a class action suit. Hernandez was one of at least 345 NFL players diagnosed with CTE after death.

March 13, 2019: Supreme Judicial Court Reinstates Conviction

On March 13, 2019, the Supreme Judicial Court reinstated Aaron Hernandez's conviction, officially ending the practice of abatement ab initio. Hernandez's estate vowed to appeal the ruling further.