1 of 2 | Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee was arrested on Feb. 5, 2025, on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence after police arrived at his home to find his girlfriend deceased. Photo courtesy of Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
A former NFL first round draft pick linebacker was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend.
Darron Lee, who played for three NFL teams between 2016 and 2021, was arrested Thursday in the death of his girlfriend, and for tampering with evidence, by sheriff’s deputies in Tennessee.
Officers from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a “CPR in progress” in Ooltewah, Tenn., where they attempted life-saving measures on Lee’s girlfriend before determining that she had died.
After an investigation of their home, detectives said that, based on the victim and residence, Lee’s girlfriend had died because of a homicide, taking him into custody at the scene.
Lee has been charged with his girlfriend’s murder and tampering with evidence, although additional charges may be added depending on the outcome of a full investigation, HCSO said in a press release.
Lee’s girlfriend’s name has not been identified.
Lee is being held without bond at the Hamilton County Jail and, according to corrections records, has a hearing set for Feb. 11.
Lee was part of a national championship-winning Ohio State Buckeyes team and was drafted No. 20 in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He later had stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders.
Off the field, Lee previously arrested for assault and domestic violence in 2023 after he allegedly tossed a woman around and hit her repeatedly with closed fists, CBS Sports reported.
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Myles Garrett arrives on the red carpet at the 2026 NFL Honors in San Francisco on February 5, 2026. Garrett won Defensive Player of the Year. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
