Topline: Authorities arrested the former first-round draft pick following the death of his girlfriend at a Chattanooga-area home.
Published: February 11, 2026 5:54 am ET
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Darron Lee (via Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)
CHATTANOOGA, TN — Authorities arrested former NFL linebacker Darron Lee on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence following the death of his girlfriend at a Tennessee residence.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office announced the charges against the 31-year-old former first-round draft pick a day after deputies responded to a home in Chattanooga. Deputies arrived at the scene Jan. 5 following a report of a person receiving CPR, according to a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office statement.
First responders performed life-saving measures on the woman, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation by detectives determined the woman’s death was consistent with a homicide, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities identified Lee as the victim’s boyfriend and took him into custody at the residence. Police have not yet released the name or age of the victim while they work to notify her family, as reported by News Channel 9.
A spokesperson for the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office said the office cannot comment on the case because the investigation remains active. The sheriff’s office noted that Lee could face additional charges as the investigation progresses.
Lee has a history of legal issues involving allegations of physical violence. In 2023, Lee was arrested after he was accused of pushing a woman against a wall and striking her face and head multiple times with closed fists.
The news outlet reported that Lee was also accused of throwing a cellphone at a different woman in a separate incident. That incident allegedly caused an injury to the woman’s ear and left marks on her neck.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that an April 2023 incident involved a female relative. In February 2025, Lee accepted a plea deal in Franklin County Municipal Court to resolve those cases.
Under the terms of the deal, Lee pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of possessing a counterfeit controlled substance and attempted assault. The agreement allowed him to avoid a domestic violence conviction.
According to Sports Illustrated, Lee was a prominent college football player at Ohio State University from 2013 to 2015. He was a key member of the Buckeyes team that won a national championship.
The New York Jets selected Lee in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played three seasons for the Jets before joining the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lee appeared in 58 games during his professional career. He recorded 272 tackles and three interceptions before leaving the league.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Former NFL Player Darron Lee Charged With Murder In Tennessee
Authorities arrested the former first-round draft pick following the death of his girlfriend at a Chattanooga-area home.
By Kate Byrd
Published: February 11, 2026 5:54 am ET
Darron Lee (via Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)
CHATTANOOGA, TN — Authorities arrested former NFL linebacker Darron Lee on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence following the death of his girlfriend at a Tennessee residence.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office announced the charges against the 31-year-old former first-round draft pick a day after deputies responded to a home in Chattanooga. Deputies arrived at the scene Jan. 5 following a report of a person receiving CPR, according to a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office statement.
First responders performed life-saving measures on the woman, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation by detectives determined the woman’s death was consistent with a homicide, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities identified Lee as the victim’s boyfriend and took him into custody at the residence. Police have not yet released the name or age of the victim while they work to notify her family, as reported by News Channel 9.
A spokesperson for the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office said the office cannot comment on the case because the investigation remains active. The sheriff’s office noted that Lee could face additional charges as the investigation progresses.
Lee has a history of legal issues involving allegations of physical violence. In 2023, Lee was arrested after he was accused of pushing a woman against a wall and striking her face and head multiple times with closed fists.
The news outlet reported that Lee was also accused of throwing a cellphone at a different woman in a separate incident. That incident allegedly caused an injury to the woman’s ear and left marks on her neck.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that an April 2023 incident involved a female relative. In February 2025, Lee accepted a plea deal in Franklin County Municipal Court to resolve those cases.
Under the terms of the deal, Lee pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of possessing a counterfeit controlled substance and attempted assault. The agreement allowed him to avoid a domestic violence conviction.
According to Sports Illustrated, Lee was a prominent college football player at Ohio State University from 2013 to 2015. He was a key member of the Buckeyes team that won a national championship.
The New York Jets selected Lee in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played three seasons for the Jets before joining the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lee appeared in 58 games during his professional career. He recorded 272 tackles and three interceptions before leaving the league.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Former NFL Player Darron Lee Charged With Murder In Tennessee
Authorities arrested the former first-round draft pick following the death of his girlfriend at a Chattanooga-area home.
By Kate Byrd
Published: February 11, 2026 5:54 am ET
Darron Lee (via Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)
CHATTANOOGA, TN — Authorities arrested former NFL linebacker Darron Lee on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence following the death of his girlfriend at a Tennessee residence.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office announced the charges against the 31-year-old former first-round draft pick a day after deputies responded to a home in Chattanooga. Deputies arrived at the scene Jan. 5 following a report of a person receiving CPR, according to a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office statement.
First responders performed life-saving measures on the woman, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation by detectives determined the woman’s death was consistent with a homicide, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities identified Lee as the victim’s boyfriend and took him into custody at the residence. Police have not yet released the name or age of the victim while they work to notify her family, as reported by News Channel 9.
A spokesperson for the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office said the office cannot comment on the case because the investigation remains active. The sheriff’s office noted that Lee could face additional charges as the investigation progresses.
Lee has a history of legal issues involving allegations of physical violence. In 2023, Lee was arrested after he was accused of pushing a woman against a wall and striking her face and head multiple times with closed fists.
The news outlet reported that Lee was also accused of throwing a cellphone at a different woman in a separate incident. That incident allegedly caused an injury to the woman’s ear and left marks on her neck.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that an April 2023 incident involved a female relative. In February 2025, Lee accepted a plea deal in Franklin County Municipal Court to resolve those cases.
Under the terms of the deal, Lee pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of possessing a counterfeit controlled substance and attempted assault. The agreement allowed him to avoid a domestic violence conviction.
According to Sports Illustrated, Lee was a prominent college football player at Ohio State University from 2013 to 2015. He was a key member of the Buckeyes team that won a national championship.
The New York Jets selected Lee in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played three seasons for the Jets before joining the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lee appeared in 58 games during his professional career. He recorded 272 tackles and three interceptions before leaving the league.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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