Former NFL star Aaron Hernandez was found dead in his jail cell early Wednesday morning, according to the Massachusetts Department of Corrections.
In a statement, the Department of Corrections said Hernandez was discovered hanged in his cell by corrections officers around 3:05 a.m. local time. He was pronounced dead at 4:07 a.m.
Hernandez, 27, was serving time at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Massachusetts. He was in a single cell, according to the Department of Corrections.
The department said Hernandez hanged himself with a bed sheet attached to his cell window. An investigation is ongoing.
Hernandez was a star tight end for the New England Patriots. Last week, Hernandez was acquitted of the 2012 murders of two men in Boston, but he was serving a sentence of life without parole for the murder of Odin L. Lloyd in 2013, according to the Boston Globe.
Here is the full statement from the Department of Corrections.
"On April 19, 2017 Aaron Hernandez was discovered hanged in his cell by corrections officers at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley Massachusetts at approximately 3:05 a.m., lifesaving techniques were attempted on Mr. Hernandez and he was transported to UMASS Leominster where he was pronounced dead at 4:07 a.m. by a physician at the hospital. Mr. Hernandez was in a single cell in a general population housing. 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. The Massachusetts State Police are on scene and the investigation continues. Mr. Hernandez’s next of kin have been notified."
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