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SPORTS Thursday 20 april 2017

Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez turns to look toward his fiancee Shayanna Jenkins Hernandez as he reacts to his double murder acquittal
at Suffolk Superior Court Friday, April 14, 2017, in Boston.
Associated Press
Ex-NFL star Aaron Hernandez hangs himself in his prison cell

JIMMY GOLEN where he played alongside away. “Aaron was looking for- hospital and pronounced
AP Sports Writer stars like Tom Brady and The former NFL star’s death ward to an opportunity for dead about an hour later.
BOSTON (AP) — Hours be- Rob Gronkowsi, Hernan- left friends, family and his a second chance to prove Fallon said he was not
fore his former New Eng- dez jammed the door to his legal team shocked and his innocence. Those who aware of any suicide note
land Patriots teammates one-man cell lest guards in disbelief, searching for love and care about him and officials had no rea-
were due to visit the White try to stop him and put an an explanation. Just last are heartbroken and de- son to believe Hernandez
House to celebrate their Su- early end to the life-with- Friday, Hernandez was ac- termined to find the truth was suicidal. Otherwise, he
per Bowl victory, prison offi- out-parole sentence he re- quitted in a separate mur- surrounding his untimely would have been trans-
cials say, Aaron Hernandez ceived for a 2013 murder. der case. death.” ferred to a mental health
tied one end of his bed- He was 27. “There were no conversa- Guards found Hernandez unit, Fallon said.
sheet to a window and the It was the last act in the tions or correspondence shortly after 3 a.m. Wednes- The Worcester County dis-
other around his neck and downfall of an athlete who from Aaron to his family day at the state prison in trict attorney’s office and
hanged himself. once seemed to have ev- or legal team that would Shirley, Correction Depart- the Correction Department
In a maximum-security pris- erything, including a five- have indicated anything ment spokesman Christo- are investigating.
on outside Boston, about year $40 million contract like this was possible,” said pher Fallon said. The former Continued on Page 22
an hour from the stadium extension, and threw it all his attorney, Jose Baez. tight end was taken to a