Prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty for former New York Jets first-round selection Daron Lee, unveiling grim new details regarding the alleged murder of his girlfriend.
During a court hearing on Wednesday, Lee, who played five seasons in the NFL, was denied bail on charges of first-degree murder and evidence tampering, according to reports.
Authorities alleged that Lee violently killed Gabriela Carvalho Perpetuo in her Tennessee residence, with blood found in almost every room, including her car.
Lee, the 20th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, had called police to his suburban home, claiming that Perpetuo suffered from narcolepsy and likely collapsed in the shower.
However, officers discovered a gruesome scene with her body on the floor.
An autopsy revealed she was topless with severe injuries, including brain trauma, a broken neck, numerous bruises, and bite marks on her body. She also had a stab wound on her leg and a significant wound to her face, with the coroner attributing her death to blunt force trauma.
“The scene was chaotic,” described Detective Brian Lockhart of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, one of the first responders.
He noted extensive blood spatter throughout the home—up the stairs, on the walls, and across the floors, with broken glass and liquor bottles scattered around. Cleaning supplies were also found on the upper floor.
Arrested and charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering, Lee, 31, was on probation in Florida for a prior aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and had moved to Tennessee without his probation officer’s approval.
Lee’s lawyers requested bail, but District Attorney Coty Wamp argued effectively against it, highlighting the significant risk Lee posed. She explained that had Lee completed mandated anger management courses, his probation would have ended just days after Perpetuo’s death.
Judge Tori Smith denied bail, ordering Lee to remain in custody until his next court appearance on March 9.
