Former New York Jets first-round pick Darron Lee, who won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs, could face the death penalty after being [charged](https://www.pennlive.com/news/2026/02/ex-nfl-first-round-pick-ohio-state-star-charged-with-murder-after-girlfriends-death.html) with murder.
News Channel 9 in Chattanooga [reports](https://newschannel9.com/news/local/former-nfl-player-charged-with-murder-expected-to-make-tennessee-courtroom-appearance-ooltewah-homicide-hamilton-county-courthouse-first-degree-murder-charge-tampering-with-evidence-snow-cone-way-domestic-violence-warning-signs) that prosecutors indicated Wednesday that they intend to seek the death penalty in Lee’s case.
Darron Lee was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence earlier this month after his girlfriend, Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo, was found dead inside a rented home in Ooltewah, Tenn.
Lee was denied bond on Wednesday as testimony detailed a horrific scene that included blood in nearly every room.
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Detective Brian Lockhart testified that there was blood on the staircase, handrails, walls, floors and in nearly every room of the house, per News 9.
In addition, Lockhart said that the victim suffered severe brain trauma, a broken neck, bruising across her body, a large bite mark on her shoulder and thigh, stab wounds to her legs and significant facial trauma.
The 31-year-old Lee starred at Ohio State, winning a national championship, before the Jets drafted him in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
He went on to spend three seasons with the Jets and also spent time with the Chiefs, Bills and Raiders, winning a Super Bowl during the 2019 season with Kansas City.
Darron Lee was also arrested in Ohio in 2023 after his child’s mother told police that he attacked her.