Darron Lee, Jets’ 2016 first-round pick, charged in girlfriend’s murder

Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee is accused of killing his girlfriend in Tennessee on Thursday.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday night that it had arrested Lee on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with or fabricating evidence.

Authorities have not released the victim’s identity as they work to alert her family, and they said more charges could be filed as the investigation proceeds.

In a statement, the sheriff’s office said it received a call Thursday afternoon about someone performing CPR on a woman at a home in Ooltewah, Tenn., which sits outside Lee’s hometown of Chattanooga. It did not say who the caller was or who was performing CPR.

“First responders located a female victim and attempted life-saving measures; it was determined she was deceased,” the statement said. “Due to the condition of the victim and the residence, HCSO Criminal Investigative Services Detectives responded. Preliminary findings indicate the victim’s death was the result of a homicide.”

Lee, 31, was arrested at the scene. He remains in custody without bond and has a court hearing set for Wednesday. The sheriff’s office said it would not be releasing further details for the time being.

A five-year NFL veteran who played at Ohio State, Lee was selected by the New York Jets with the No. 20 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent three years with the team before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. The Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV that season, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 31-20, though Lee did not play in the game. He made two appearances for the Buffalo Bills the next year, followed by a short preseason run with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021.