Who Did Aaron Hernandez Murder?
Aaron Hernandez, the former NFL star, was convicted of the murder of Odin Lloyd in 2015. He was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
However, Hernandez was linked to several other homicides during his lifetime. He was acquitted of a double murder in 2016, but many question the fairness of the outcome, citing inconsistencies in witness testimony and altered or missing evidence.
Who was Aaron Hernandez?
Aaron Hernandez was a tight end who played for the New England Patriots from 2010 to 2013. He was a second-round draft pick and showed significant promise on the field, earning a four-year, $12.25 million contract extension in 2012. However, off the field, he had a troubled past. Hernandez was arrested in June 2013 for murdering Odin Lloyd.
Who was Odin Lloyd?
Odin Lloyd was a 27-year-old semi-professional football player who was also friends with Hernandez. On the night of June 16, 2013, Hernandez and his friend Ernest Wallace picked up Lloyd and drove him to an industrial park near Boston. Lloyd’s body was found the next day with multiple bullets in his chest, with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun nearby. An investigation revealed that the killing was a botched cover-up designed to prevent Lloyd from discovering the true identity of two of Hernandez’s associates involved in a murder for hire plot in May 2013, a crime that was witnessed by Hernandez himself.
Aaron Hernandez’s Convictions and Acquittals
- Convictions:
- In April 2015, Hernandez was convicted of Odin Lloyd’s murder and received a life sentence.
- In July 2015, he was also convicted of three gun charges related to a May 2013 confrontation.
- Acquittals:
- In February 2017, Hernandez was acquitted of multiple murders in the Boston gang violence case, clearing him of involvement in four shootings in 2012 that resulted in the death of Daniel de Abreu, 29, and Safir Antonio Thornton, 30.
Other Investigations and Suspicions
While Hernandez was on trial for Odin Lloyd’s murder, investigations revealed that he might have been involved in even more crimes. Although he was acquitted of these allegations, many believe there were inconsistencies and contradictions in witness testimony and missing evidence that raised suspicion about Hernandez’s involvement in the following cases:
- The Boston double murder: Hernandez was tried but acquitted of the killing of Daniel de Abreu and Safir Antonio Thornton. Many remain suspicious about the outcome due to witness inconsistencies and an anonymous tip that Hernandez did it.
- The drive-by shootings: In 2015, a Massachusetts grand jury returned indictments in two drive-by shooting cases, one in 2012 and another in 2013. If found guilty, Hernandez faced potential life sentences in each case. However, his defense team argued inconsistencies in witness testimony and Hernandez was acquitted without prejudice in both cases.
- The 2008 double murder: Investigator Daniel Conley shared his theory that Aaron Hernandez was involved in two Boston double murders occurring in 2008: one on July 24th, in which Aaron Lloyd and Brandon Bolden were shot and killed in the South End, and the other on July 8th, in which Eduardo Schaefer and Brendan Mascheroni were injured and shot in the Adams Square neighborhood. Aaron Lloyd was a cousin and rival of Odin Lloyd’s brother, Shane Lloyd. However, Hernandez never stood trial for these homicides and there is no strong evidence to prove his direct involvement.
Conclusion: Who Did Aaron Hernandez Murder?
Aaron Hernandez was convicted of Odin Lloyd’s murder and given a life sentence. Investigations into other cases linked him to various other homicides, despite acquittals in certain instances. Many questioned the fairness of the process due to altered or missing evidence and inconsistencies in witness testimony, and there are still mysteries surrounding his involvement in crimes, such as the double murders in 2008.
The Aaron Hernandez saga remains a complex and mysterious story, with many pieces left to be uncovered. Regardless, it is clear that Aaron Hernandez was involved in numerous crimes, and he is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of Odin Lloyd in the Massachusetts Correctional Institute – Shirley.
