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Former Jets first-round pick Darron Lee accused of murdering girlfriend

Lee is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. The identification of his girlfriend and cause of her death was not revealed pending notification of next of kin.

Mike Smollins

Feb 6, 2026, 10:15 PM

Updated

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Former New York Jets first-round draft pick Darron Lee has been charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend in Tennessee.

The body of his girlfriend, whose identification was not released, was discovered in a residence on Friday afternoon. Authorities attempted life-saving measures but were unable to revive her, according to a news release by the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office in Tennessee.

Criminal Investigative Services detectives responded to the scene, the HCSO said in its release, and determined the victim's death was the result of a homicide. They then located Lee and took him into custody at the scene.

Lee is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. The identification of his girlfriend and cause of her death was not revealed pending notification of next of kin, according to the release.

The HCSO could not be reached for further comment.

Lee, 31, was drafted by the Jets No. 20 overall in the 2016 draft out of Ohio State. He spent three seasons with Gang Green before playing with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. He wrapped up his NFL career on the practice squad with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021.

He played 58 NFL games and was the defensive MVP of the 2015 Sugar Bowl.

Lee has a Feb. 11 court date. He was previously arrested for assault and domestic violence in 2023.

AP Wire Services contributed to this report.

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