New England Patriots

Former Patriots star Aaron Hernandez found hanged in his prison cell

Published Apr. 19, 2017 11:00 a.m. ET

Kerouac Smith

Former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez was found dead hanging in his cell on Wednesday morning, prison officials confirmed.

Hernandez, 27, was serving a life sentence for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. He was found not guilty Friday in an separate 2012 double slaying.

According to a statement from the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, Hernandez hanged himself in his cell.

The statement, issued by Christopher M. Fallon, Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Communications for the Massachusetts Department of Correction, read:

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 unit. 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 Polices are on scene and the investigation continues. Mr. Hernandez's next of kin have been notified.