An arrest warrant has been issued for Darron Lee on charges of murder and evidence tampering in Tennessee, stemming from the death of his girlfriend, according to local authorities.
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tennessee — Darron Lee, who previously played as a linebacker for Ohio State and several NFL teams, has been detained in connection to his girlfriend’s death, Tennessee officials announced on Friday.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office reported that Lee is facing accusations of murder and evidence tampering. Deputies responded to a Thursday afternoon call regarding CPR being administered at a residence roughly 25 miles east of Chattanooga.
Upon arrival, first responders discovered a female victim and initiated life-saving procedures. Despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead, as confirmed by the sheriff’s office. Her identity remains undisclosed until family members are notified.
Initial investigations suggest that the cause of death was homicide, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities identified Lee as the primary suspect and arrested him at the scene. His birth date, listed in the Hamilton County booking system, corresponds with the ESPN profile of a former NFL athlete and Ohio State alumnus of the same name, as reported by WBNS.
Lee could face additional charges following the outcome of the investigation, the sheriff’s office said.
No additional details about the incident was immediately available.
Lee is set to appear in Hamilton County court Wednesday, WBNS reported.
According to Franklin County Municipal Court records, Lee faced domestic violence charges in two incidents from April 2023 and October 2022.
Lee was a two-year starter at Ohio State University and was a member of the 2014 national championship team. He was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. After three seasons, he went on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 and Buffalo Bills in 2020. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in June 2021 but was released by the team two months later.
