Former Jets First Round Pick Charged with First Degree Murder

A linebacker who once starred for Ohio State and was selected 20th overall by the New York Jets in the 2016 NFL Draft now faces first-degree murder charges in connection with his girlfriend’s death.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee arrested 31-year-old Darron Lee on Thursday after deputies responded to a residence in Ooltewah on a CPR report. First responders found an adult female victim and attempted life-saving measures, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives from the sheriff’s Criminal Investigative Services unit determined the woman’s death resulted from homicide based on preliminary findings. Lee was identified as the suspect and taken into custody at the scene.

Authorities charged him with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

Jail records show Lee is being held without bond at the Hamilton County prison. His court date is scheduled for Wednesday. Additional charges may be pending as the investigation continues.

Former NFL LB Darron Lee, the Jets’ 2016 first-round pick, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend, the Hamilton County (Tennessee) Sheriff’s Office announced.

Story via @RichCimini:https://t.co/uDXvp0QhDg

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2026

Legal Troubles Date Back Years for Former Linebacker

Lee’s arrest comes while he was on probation stemming from a 2025 plea deal. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor attempted assault and possession of a controlled substance in Feb 2025, receiving a 90-day jail sentence with 88 days suspended. The deal included probation through Feb 2027 and a no-contact order with the victims.

Those charges originated from Apr 2023, when Dublin, Ohio police arrested him on two counts of domestic violence and two counts of assault. Court records detailed two separate incidents involving different women.

In one case from Oct 2022, Lee allegedly assaulted the mother of his child by grabbing her neck and throwing a cell phone that struck her ear, causing bleeding. He reportedly threatened to kill her and their child.

The second incident from Apr 2023 involved a female relative who called police after Lee allegedly punched her in the head multiple times during an argument. Court documents stated he threw her to the ground and struck her face and the back of her head eight to nine times with closed fists.

Lee failed to appear in court in Jun 2023, prompting a judge to issue an arrest warrant. Dublin police also charged him with cocaine possession in Sep 2023.

Brief NFL Career After Championship Success at Ohio State

The Chattanooga native moved to Ohio during childhood and became a standout at New Albany High School before joining Ohio State. Lee earned defensive MVP honors in the 2015 Sugar Bowl after the Buckeyes defeated Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Ohio State went on to win the national championship that season, with Lee playing a key role on defense.

His NFL career began when the Jets made him the 20th pick in 2016. He spent three seasons in New York, appearing in 45 games with 30 starts. The Chiefs acquired him in a trade before the 2019 season, though he was inactive for their Super Bowl LIV victory. Lee finished his professional career with one season in Buffalo in 2020.

He played 58 regular-season games total across his five NFL seasons, recording 228 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and three interceptions. His time in the league included a four-game suspension in 2018 for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

Hamilton County court records confirm Lee’s court appearance is set for Feb 11. He remains in custody without the possibility of posting bond while awaiting his initial hearing.