Bloody Scene in Hernandez Cell: Police Report

Ex-NFLer wrote 'John 3:16' on his forehead in ink, on the cell wall in blood
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 5, 2017 10:10 AM CDT
Bloody Scene in Hernandez Cell: Police Report
In this April 14, 2017, file photo, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez reacts to his double murder acquittal at Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston.   (Stephan Savoia)

Former NFL star Aaron Hernandez wrote a reference to a biblical passage in ink on his forehead and in blood on his prison cell wall before he hanged himself with a bedsheet, Massachusetts State Police say in an investigative report released Thursday. The report notes "John 3:16" was written on Hernandez's forehead and on the wall, the AP reports. The Bible passage says: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The report, from a state detective assigned to Worcester County DA Joseph Early Jr.'s office, says a correction officer found Hernandez around 3am on April 19 at the Souza-Baranowski prison, where he was serving a life sentence for a 2013 murder. His suicide came five days after he was acquitted in the 2012 gun slayings of two men in a car.

Police say Hernandez's right middle finger had a fresh cut, with blood on adjacent fingers. Besides the "John 3:16" written on his forehead, there appeared to be a large circular blood mark on each of his feet. On the cell wall were several drawings and "John 3:16" apparently written in blood. Under the drawings was a Bible open to John 3:16, with the verse marked in blood. A description of the three notes found next to the Bible was redacted from the report. Police, who say surveillance video shows Hernandez on the phone just before being locked in his cell, listened to the last five phone calls Hernandez made and he "does not make any apparent indication of an intent to harm himself during any of the phone calls," per the report. Toxicology tests showed Hernandez's blood came back negative for all substances tested, including synthetic marijuana. (More Aaron Hernandez stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X