Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee charged in murder of girlfriend

Lee is currently being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on February 11

Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of his girlfriend, according to authorities in Tennessee.

Lee, 31, was taken into custody after deputies responded to a home in Ooltewah, where a woman was found unresponsive and receiving CPR. She was later pronounced dead, and investigators determined her death to be a homicide.

Law enforcement officials identified Lee as the victim’s boyfriend and arrested him at the scene. He is currently being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on February 11. In addition to the murder charge, Lee also faces a charge of tampering with evidence, and authorities have said the investigation is ongoing.

The identity of the victim has not been publicly released as officials continue to notify family members. Investigators said the condition of the residence and evidence found at the scene led them to believe the death was not accidental.

Lee was a standout linebacker at Ohio State before being selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. During his professional football career, he also played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, appearing in dozens of NFL games before stepping away from the league.

Court records show Lee has faced previous legal issues, including a 2023 arrest related to assault and domestic violence. In 2025, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges connected to that case.

Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death, and the case remains under active investigation.