Police searched the home of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez last night after the discovery of his connection to a possible homicide. A man was found dead in a nearby industrial park approximately a mile form Hernandez’s North Attleboro home while a rental vehicle at the scene was traced back to the standout NFL star. No cause of death has been released and Hernandez has only been questioned at this point.
The body was found around 5:30pm ET last night as was a rented Chevrolet Suburban with Rhode Island license plates from Enterprise that linked Hernandez to the crime scene. Police questioned him and his friends around 7:30pm.
Two friends attempted to leave the scene during the investigation but were stopped by authorities at the end of the driveway. Local police noted that due to the “nature and circumstances” of the crime, the investigation would be headed by the state police.
Patriots spokesman Stacey James said “I am aware of the reports, but I do not anticipate that we will be commenting publicly during an ongoing police investigation.”
Interestingly, a hand-delivered package arrived for Hernandez while the investigation was underway from the prominent law firm Ropes and Gray though there’s been no word of its possible connection to the search or death.
Hernandez has only been questioned and his home searched and no arrests have been made at this time.
North Attleboro, a Boston suburb near the Rhode Island border, is the home to multiple Patriots players due to its proximity to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Hernandez missed 10 games last season with a nagging ankle injury though his hard work and raw talent have been rewarded with a 5-year $40 million contract last summer. In 38 games, the 6-foot-1, 245-pound former Florida Gator has 175 receptions for 1,956 yards and 18 touchdowns. At Florida, Hernandez connected often with Heisman Trophy winner and newly signed Patriot Time Tebow as the two led the team to the 2008 NCAA BCS championship.
Stay tuned to BostInno for the latest information regarding the information as we’ll be sure to keep you updated as details continue to roll in.
