Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee, a first-round draft pick by the New York Jets in 2016, was arrested Thursday and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend, authorities said. The 31-year-old was taken into custody at the scene in Ooltewah, Tennessee, about 25 miles east of Chattanooga, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to a residence in the 7500 block of Snow Cone Way around 2 p.m. on a report of CPR in progress. First responders found the female victim and attempted life-saving measures, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary findings indicated the death was a homicide, possibly involving a stabbing, based on evidence at the home near Ooltewah Elementary School. Lee, identified as the victim’s boyfriend, also faces a charge of tampering with evidence. Additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of her family. Lee is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in Hamilton County court on Feb. 11.
Lee’s arrest marks the latest in a series of legal troubles for the former Ohio State standout. In April 2023, he was charged in Franklin County, Ohio, with two counts of misdemeanor domestic violence and two counts of assault stemming from separate incidents in October 2022 and April 2023. The charges involved allegations of assaulting his mother and the mother of his 2-year-old son, Lindsey McGlone.
, including grabbing a woman by the neck. He also faced a felony cocaine possession charge after two bags of white powder were found during the April arrest.
In February 2025, Lee accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of attempted assault and possessing a counterfeit controlled substance, avoiding a felony record or domestic violence conviction. He was sentenced to two years of non-reporting community control and fined $500. Lee failed to appear for a June 2023 court date in the case, leading to an arrest warrant.
During his NFL career, Lee was suspended multiple times. In 2018, he received a four-game ban for violating the league’s substance abuse policy while with the Jets. He faced another suspension in 2020 for unspecified reasons. In 2017, Lee was involved in a verbal altercation at a music festival but faced no charges. He was also fined $72,965 that season for on-field infractions.
Lee, who won a national championship with Ohio State in 2014, played five seasons in the NFL, appearing in 62 games with the Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders. He recorded 254 tackles, three interceptions and 4.5 sacks before leaving the league in 2021.
No further details on the homicide investigation were immediately available. The sheriff’s office said the case remains ongoing.
