In a significant case involving domestic violence, former NFL player Darron Lee faces serious legal accusations. A Hamilton County, Tennessee grand jury indicted Lee on charges of first-degree murder related to the death of his girlfriend, Gabriela Carvalho Perpétuo. Lee, drafted as a first-round pick by the New York Jets in 2016, also played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.
Lee was arrested by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office on February 6, 2025. He faces a potential capital punishment trial, as stated by Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp. The decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made during the progress of the legal proceedings. Wamp mentioned that a separate charge of tampering with evidence was dismissed to focus solely on the murder charge.
“We will focus solely on the murder of Gabriella,” Wamp stated to Chattanooga’s News 9.
This case took an unexpected turn when it was revealed that Lee allegedly used ChatGPT to inquire about how to stage a scene of a fall in the shower to match Perpétuo’s injuries. Detective Brian Lockhart, one of the first officers on the scene, described a violent crime scene, with blood present in various areas of the house, broken glass, and alcohol bottles scattered throughout. Cleaning supplies like bleach wipes and spray bottles were found, suggesting efforts to clean the scene.
Lee called 911, claiming to have found Perpétuo unresponsive, hinting at a fall in the shower. However, an autopsy contradicted his account, revealing severe injuries consistent with blunt force trauma. Perpétuo had multiple brain traumas, a broken neck, numerous bruises, bite marks, stab wounds on her legs, and facial injuries.
This incident is not Lee’s first altercation requiring police intervention. In 2023, he was involved in violence in Ohio where he assaulted a woman, leading to a probation sentence. An officer from the Tennessee Department of Corrections noted Lee was also on probation for an aggravated assault conviction in Florida, with violations for unauthorized relocation to Tennessee.
Lee, who has not played in the NFL since 2020, remains in custody after being denied bond. This case highlights a broader issue within the NFL regarding domestic violence, with at least nine current or former players facing similar allegations this offseason. The NFL has refrained from commenting on these matters.
The arraignment date for Lee’s murder indictment in Hamilton County Criminal Court is pending. Lee’s history includes three years with the Jets, and one year each with the Chiefs and the Bills, last appearing in the 2020 season.
Leave a Reply