Former Ohio State star, NFL linebacker charged with girlfriend’s murder
By Andrew Olson
Published:
A former Ohio State linebacker who played in the NFL is being charged with the murder of his girlfriend in Hamilton County, Tennessee.
According to ABC News Channel 9 Chattanooga, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office dispatched deputies to a residence in the area in response to a report of CPR in progress. First responders attempted life-saving measures, but say the female victim died of injuries.
HCSO Criminal Investigative Services Detectives found homicide to be the victim’s cause of death. Her boyfriend, Darron Lee, has been identified as the suspect and taken into custody. Lee has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Lee, who was born in Chattanooga, played for Ohio State from 2013-15. He helped the Buckeyes win a national championship for the 2014 season and was named a second-team All-American and second-team All-Big Ten in 2015.
After 3 seasons at Ohio State, Lee went pro. He was selected No. 20 overall in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
Lee, 31, spent his first 3 seasons with the Jets. In 2019, he was traded to Kansas City. The Chiefs won the Super Bowl that season.
In 2020, Lee spent time in the Buffalo Bills organization. He was last with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021.
News Channel 9 notes that Lee was previously arrested for assault and domestic violence in Ohio in 2023.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
