Topline: The ex-NFL linebacker faces life in prison or the death penalty for the murder of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpetuo.
Published: June 12, 2026 6:00 am ET
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Darron Lee mugshot (via Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)
OOLTEWAH, TN — A Tennessee grand jury indicted former NFL linebacker Darron Lee on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpetuo.
Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp said on June 9 that a grand jury returned the indictment. The panel also dismissed a tampering with evidence charge to let prosecutors focus entirely on the murder case, according to ESPN.
Lee, 31, remains held without bond in the Hamilton County Jail ahead of a scheduled June 17 court appearance. The former professional athlete faces a possible sentence of life in prison or the death penalty.
Authorities discovered Perpetuo, 29, dead inside her Ooltewah home in February. A medical examiner reported that Perpetuo died of multiple blunt force injuries, as reported by ABC 9. The autopsy report documented 12 distinct injuries on her body, including multiple bone fractures, hematomas and stab wounds.
Police arrested Lee on Feb. 6 on a murder charge. Prosecutors accused Lee of using ChatGPT to research how to obtain medical assistance without alerting law enforcement authorities. According to court records, Lee allegedly asked the artificial intelligence platform if a fall could cause bruising to two eyes and two stabby looking wounds.
Wamp told the court during a previous hearing that Lee used the chatbot as a legal advisor, according to video recordings of the proceeding. Investigators stated that Lee engaged in dozens of back-and-forth conversations with the technology over a two-day period asking how to cover up the crime scene and what to say to emergency dispatchers.
At the time of his arrest in Tennessee, Lee was on probation in two states for separate violent offenses. Court records show he was on probation in Franklin County, Ohio, following an April 2023 arrest on allegations that he assaulted his mother, his then-girlfriend Lindsey McGlone, and their 2-year-old son.
Lee was also on probation in Alachua County, Florida, for the assault of a man, according to a report by Bleacher Report. Tennessee Department of Corrections and Parole records indicate Lee moved to Tennessee without obtaining the required approval from his probation office, violating his supervision terms.
Lee played 58 games in the NFL between 2016 and 2020. The New York Jets selected the former Ohio State University standout with the 20th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. He later played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills.
Wamp stated that a decision regarding whether the state will pursue the death penalty against Lee will be made in the coming weeks.
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 Indicted on First Degree Murder in Tennessee
The ex-NFL linebacker faces life in prison or the death penalty for the murder of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpetuo.
By Kate Byrd
Published: June 12, 2026 6:00 am ET
Darron Lee mugshot (via Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)
OOLTEWAH, TN — A Tennessee grand jury indicted former NFL linebacker Darron Lee on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpetuo.
Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp said on June 9 that a grand jury returned the indictment. The panel also dismissed a tampering with evidence charge to let prosecutors focus entirely on the murder case, according to ESPN.
Lee, 31, remains held without bond in the Hamilton County Jail ahead of a scheduled June 17 court appearance. The former professional athlete faces a possible sentence of life in prison or the death penalty.
Authorities discovered Perpetuo, 29, dead inside her Ooltewah home in February. A medical examiner reported that Perpetuo died of multiple blunt force injuries, as reported by ABC 9. The autopsy report documented 12 distinct injuries on her body, including multiple bone fractures, hematomas and stab wounds.
Police arrested Lee on Feb. 6 on a murder charge. Prosecutors accused Lee of using ChatGPT to research how to obtain medical assistance without alerting law enforcement authorities. According to court records, Lee allegedly asked the artificial intelligence platform if a fall could cause bruising to two eyes and two stabby looking wounds.
Wamp told the court during a previous hearing that Lee used the chatbot as a legal advisor, according to video recordings of the proceeding. Investigators stated that Lee engaged in dozens of back-and-forth conversations with the technology over a two-day period asking how to cover up the crime scene and what to say to emergency dispatchers.
At the time of his arrest in Tennessee, Lee was on probation in two states for separate violent offenses. Court records show he was on probation in Franklin County, Ohio, following an April 2023 arrest on allegations that he assaulted his mother, his then-girlfriend Lindsey McGlone, and their 2-year-old son.
Lee was also on probation in Alachua County, Florida, for the assault of a man, according to a report by Bleacher Report. Tennessee Department of Corrections and Parole records indicate Lee moved to Tennessee without obtaining the required approval from his probation office, violating his supervision terms.
Lee played 58 games in the NFL between 2016 and 2020. The New York Jets selected the former Ohio State University standout with the 20th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. He later played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills.
Wamp stated that a decision regarding whether the state will pursue the death penalty against Lee will be made in the coming weeks.
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 Indicted on First Degree Murder in Tennessee
The ex-NFL linebacker faces life in prison or the death penalty for the murder of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpetuo.
By Kate Byrd
Published: June 12, 2026 6:00 am ET
Darron Lee mugshot (via Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)
OOLTEWAH, TN — A Tennessee grand jury indicted former NFL linebacker Darron Lee on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpetuo.
Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp said on June 9 that a grand jury returned the indictment. The panel also dismissed a tampering with evidence charge to let prosecutors focus entirely on the murder case, according to ESPN.
Lee, 31, remains held without bond in the Hamilton County Jail ahead of a scheduled June 17 court appearance. The former professional athlete faces a possible sentence of life in prison or the death penalty.
Authorities discovered Perpetuo, 29, dead inside her Ooltewah home in February. A medical examiner reported that Perpetuo died of multiple blunt force injuries, as reported by ABC 9. The autopsy report documented 12 distinct injuries on her body, including multiple bone fractures, hematomas and stab wounds.
Police arrested Lee on Feb. 6 on a murder charge. Prosecutors accused Lee of using ChatGPT to research how to obtain medical assistance without alerting law enforcement authorities. According to court records, Lee allegedly asked the artificial intelligence platform if a fall could cause bruising to two eyes and two stabby looking wounds.
Wamp told the court during a previous hearing that Lee used the chatbot as a legal advisor, according to video recordings of the proceeding. Investigators stated that Lee engaged in dozens of back-and-forth conversations with the technology over a two-day period asking how to cover up the crime scene and what to say to emergency dispatchers.
At the time of his arrest in Tennessee, Lee was on probation in two states for separate violent offenses. Court records show he was on probation in Franklin County, Ohio, following an April 2023 arrest on allegations that he assaulted his mother, his then-girlfriend Lindsey McGlone, and their 2-year-old son.
Lee was also on probation in Alachua County, Florida, for the assault of a man, according to a report by Bleacher Report. Tennessee Department of Corrections and Parole records indicate Lee moved to Tennessee without obtaining the required approval from his probation office, violating his supervision terms.
Lee played 58 games in the NFL between 2016 and 2020. The New York Jets selected the former Ohio State University standout with the 20th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. He later played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills.
Wamp stated that a decision regarding whether the state will pursue the death penalty against Lee will be made in the coming weeks.
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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