Former 1st-round pick LB Darron Lee charged with murder

Field Level Media
07 Feb 2026, 07:35 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee was arrested and charged for the alleged homicide of his girlfriend on Thursday, per the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

First responders were dispatched to a residence in the small town of Ooltewah, Tenn, about 30 minutes from Lee's hometown of Chattanooga.

Paramedics arrived on the scene and attempted live-saving measures, however the victim succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene. Lee was identified as a suspect and taken into custody.

Lee was charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Jail records indicate that he is being held without bond, and has a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 11.

Lee previously faced legal issues in 2023, when he was charged with two counts of domestic violence and two counts of assault. He also was charged with a felony drug possession charge when he failed to show up for his court date related to that case later in the year. He pleaded guilty to two lesser counts in 2025.

After winning a national championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2014, Lee was drafted 20th overall by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. In addition to 40 games with the Jets, Lee made 16 appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019, as well as two for the Buffalo Bills in 2020. He accumulated 273 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, four sacks and three interceptions over his five-year career, starting 38 of the 58 games he played.

--Field Level Media

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