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Summary: Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo, 29, was found dead in her Ooltewah, Tennessee, home on February 5, 2026, with multiple injuries including a stab wound and extensive bruising. Authorities arrested her boyfriend, former NFL player Darron Alexander Lee, 31, on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence after discrepancies in his account and scene evidence emerged. The case has spotlighted domestic violence issues in the community, reports say.
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OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (DailyKenn.com) — Former NFL Linebacker Faces Murder Charge in Death of Girlfriend
Authorities
in Hamilton County arrested a former professional football player in
connection with the violent death of his 29-year-old girlfriend, whose
body showed signs of severe trauma, officials said.
Darron
Alexander Lee, 31, was taken into custody Thursday afternoon after
emergency responders arrived at a home in the 7500 block of Snow Cone
Way following a report of someone needing CPR. Deputies found Gabriella
Carvalho Perpétuo unresponsive and attempted to revive her, but she was
declared dead at the scene, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's
Office. An autopsy later revealed multiple injuries, including a stab
wound to her abdomen, extensive bruising to her head and body, swollen
eyes, a bite mark on her shoulder, and traces of blood on her face and
neck, medical examiners reported.
Lee, who played linebacker for
teams including the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs, told first
responders he discovered Perpétuo unconscious on the couch and
speculated she might have slipped in the shower, investigators noted.
However, his explanation did not match the evidence at the site, where
deputies observed blood spatter on walls and floors, shattered glass in
the kitchen, and cleaning supplies scattered in unusual spots, court
records show. Lee himself had visible scratches on his face, hands, and
chest, along with bloodstains on his cellphone case, according to an
arrest affidavit.
Investigators processed the residence that
evening, determining the death resulted from homicide. Lee invoked his
right to remain silent during questioning and was formally charged the
next day with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence, based on
indications he attempted to scrub away bloodstains before authorities
arrived, prosecutors alleged. He remains jailed without bond and is due
in court Wednesday, jail records indicate. Additional charges could
follow as the probe continues, sheriff's officials added.
Perpétuo,
originally from Framingham, Massachusetts, had been living in Tennessee
with Lee, family members said. Relatives described her as a warm and
loving person who cared deeply for those around her. In a statement
released Monday, her stepfather expressed profound grief over what he
called a brutal act, thanking law enforcement and the public for their
support while requesting space to mourn. The family has launched an
online fundraiser to cover costs for transporting her remains to Florida
for burial, funeral arrangements, and legal fees for a potential civil
action, with donations surpassing $55,000 so far.
Residents in
the quiet Ooltewah neighborhood expressed shock at the violence in their
community, with some neighbors telling reporters they heard no
disturbances beforehand but were rattled by the heavy police presence.
Advocacy groups highlighted the case as another tragic example of
domestic violence, urging greater awareness and resources for victims.
Perpétuo's loved ones echoed calls for justice, hoping her story
prevents similar tragedies.
Lee has a prior record involving
assault and domestic disputes, including a 2023 guilty plea to
aggravated assault in Ohio and a 2025 conviction for brandishing a
weapon in Florida, court documents reveal.
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Former NFL player charged in death of Framingham woman, reports say
UPDATE: Ex-NFL player charged with girlfriend's murder; victim identified
Former Jets player charged with killing woman from Framingham
Victim In Gruesome Ooltewah Slaying Identified As Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo
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