Former NFL Star Darron Lee Charged With Murder

On the afternoon of February 5, 2026, a quiet neighborhood in Ooltewah, Tennessee, was shaken by the discovery of a woman’s body inside a home on Snow Cone Way. The incident rapidly drew national attention—not only for its tragic violence, but also because the suspect at the center of the case was Darron Lee, a former NFL linebacker once hailed for his promise on the gridiron.

According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), deputies were dispatched to the residence at approximately 1:34 p.m. after receiving a report of CPR in progress. When first responders and members of the Tri-Com Volunteer Fire Department arrived, they found the victim—Lee’s girlfriend—unconscious on the couch. Despite their efforts to revive her, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the victim has not been publicly released, pending notification of her family.

The initial findings were grim. As reported by NewsChannel 9, the affidavit described gruesome injuries: a suspected stab wound to the abdomen, severe bruising to the head and eyes, bruises on the arms and torso, and what appeared to be a human bite mark on the shoulder. Investigators also found broken glass and blood evidence scattered throughout several areas of the house, with the amount and location of the blood inconsistent with Lee’s account that his girlfriend had fallen in the shower. Cleaning supplies were discovered in unusual places, and forensic analysis suggested that blood had been cleaned from multiple surfaces, pointing to an attempt to conceal evidence.

The scene, as pieced together by detectives, offered little support for Lee’s explanation. The affidavit noted, “There were no signs of forced entry, but deputies found broken glass in the kitchen and blood evidence in several areas of the house.” The presence of alcohol, narcotics, and a firearm inside the residence only deepened the investigators’ concerns.

Lee, 31, was at the home when deputies arrived. The HCSO confirmed to The New York Post that he was immediately identified as the primary suspect and taken into custody at the scene. According to jail records reviewed by the outlet, Lee is being held without bond and has a court date scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 2026. He refused to answer investigators’ questions, and deputies noted injuries on his face, hands, and chest—injuries consistent with a physical struggle. Blood was even found inside the case of his cell phone, and both his phone and clothing were seized as evidence.

As the investigation unfolded, Lee was formally charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. The sheriff’s office has stated that additional charges could be pending as forensic results and the autopsy report are finalized. The case remains active, with HCSO Criminal Investigative Services Detectives continuing their work.

For many, the news of Lee’s arrest was as shocking as the crime itself. Once a standout defender at Ohio State, Lee was the defensive MVP of the Buckeyes’ Sugar Bowl win over Alabama in 2015 and a key member of the 2014 national championship team. He was selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, a moment captured in photos and headlines across the country. During his three-year stint with the Jets, Lee recorded 241 tackles and three interceptions in 40 games, starting 36 of them. He later played for the Kansas City Chiefs—earning a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 2019 championship team, though he was inactive for the game—and appeared in two games with the Buffalo Bills in 2020. A brief stint with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 ended before he saw game action.

Yet, Lee’s football career was increasingly overshadowed by off-field troubles. As reported by multiple outlets, including The New York Post and NewsChannel 9, Lee had a documented history of domestic violence. In April 2023, he was arrested in Ohio after pushing a woman “against the wall, throwing her to the floor and striking her face and head 8 to 9 times with his closed fists,” according to the arrest report. He then “placed his hand around her neck and lifting up, and dropping her on the ground,” resulting in a court-issued no-contact order. Another arrest report detailed an incident in which Lee allegedly threw a phone at a woman, causing her ear to bleed, and grabbed her neck while punching a pillow beside her head. These incidents led to convictions and further tarnished his reputation.

Lee’s journey from celebrated athlete to a figure at the center of a homicide investigation is a stark reminder of the complexities and pressures that can follow professional athletes after their careers end. Raised in New Albany, Ohio, after being born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lee was once seen as a rising star. He stayed close to home for college and quickly made a name for himself at Ohio State, only to see his NFL tenure marred by inconsistency and off-field issues. His release from the Jets in 2019 marked the beginning of a transient period in his professional life, bouncing between teams with little stability.

The details of the Ooltewah homicide have left the local community reeling. The neighborhood, typically quiet and family-oriented, is now the backdrop for an investigation that has drawn national headlines. According to Fox 17 in Nashville, deputies found no signs of forced entry, further complicating the picture of what transpired inside the home. The affidavit’s description of the scene—blood in multiple locations, cleaning supplies out of place, and Lee’s injuries—paints a portrait of violence and subsequent attempts to cover up the crime.

As the legal process moves forward, Lee remains in custody at the Hamilton County Jail, awaiting his court appearance. The sheriff’s office has not released further details about the ongoing investigation, and the victim’s family has asked for privacy as they process their loss.

This case has reignited conversations about domestic violence, both in sports and in society at large. Advocates point to the importance of early intervention and support for victims, as well as the need for organizations—including professional sports leagues—to take a more proactive role in addressing behavioral issues among their athletes. While the NFL has made efforts in recent years to strengthen its policies on personal conduct, critics argue that more can be done to prevent tragedies like this one.

For now, the focus remains on the facts as they emerge from Hamilton County: a promising athletic career derailed, a family grieving an unimaginable loss, and a community grappling with the aftermath of violence in their midst. The next steps in the legal process will determine Darron Lee’s fate, but the echoes of this tragedy are sure to linger far beyond the courtroom.