Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee Gabriella Carvalho Murder Charges case in the death of his girlfriend Perpétuo and could face the death penalty in Hamilton County.
As of February 12, 2026, former NFL linebacker and Jets first-round pick Darron Lee remains jailed without bond after being arrested and charged with first‑degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of Carvalho Perpétuo at their rented home in Ooltewah, Tennessee.
Prosecutors have indicated they are seeking the death penalty in the murder of his girlfriend, citing the severity of the violence and aggravating factors in the case.
What Happened in the Darron Lee Gabriella Carvalho Murder Case and Why He Was Arrested
On February 5, 2026, first responders arrived at a home in the Chattanooga suburb of Ooltewah after a 911 call for CPR assistance, only to find Gabriella Perpétuo found dead on the floor and Lee inside the home.
Lee was immediately taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder and tampering evidence by Hamilton County authorities.
Lee initially told deputies that Perpétuo had narcolepsy, might have “fallen in the shower,” but investigators quickly determined that explanation did not align with the scene.
The judge denied bond at a hearing where testimony revealed disturbing details about what occurred inside the house.
Who Was Gabriella Carvalho Perpetuo and What Was Her Relationship With Darron Lee
Gabriella Carvalho Perpetuo is another individual named by the law enforcement as the girlfriend of Lee during her death.
It is about ten days before the incident when the couple had been living together in their rented Tennessee home.
The police claim that there were no visible signs of forced entry which means there was a familiarity between the two and that they were in the house before being discovered.
As a first-round pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, Lee was a linebacker in the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, and Buffalo Bills before his NFL career concluded in 2020.
This is one of the most popular crime stories of an athlete of the last several years due to his long history in professional football.
What Evidence Did Investigators Find at the Tennessee Crime Scene
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Detective Brian Lockhart said the scene inside the home was chaotic, with blood in just about every room, including on walls, handrails, staircases, and floors in the living room.
Blood was also found in a vehicle in the garage that was registered to both Lee and Perpetuo.
According to testimony and court affidavits, Perpétuo suffered severe injuries, including blunt force trauma, severe brain trauma, a broken neck, a large bite mark on her shoulder and thigh, and stab wounds to her legs.
Investigators also found shattered objects, scattered glass, and signs that blood had been wiped or cleaned in some areas using cleaning supplies, suggesting possible tampering with evidence.
Detectives noted that she was found lying on her back on the floor of the living room.
Lee told officers she might have fallen due to narcolepsy, but Lockhart and other investigators found that explanation inconsistent with the evidence recovered from the scene.
How Prosecutors Are Building the Case Against Darron Lee
Prosecutors have created a picture of the supposed crime, stating that it does not correspond to the returns of the physical evidence in the first explanations of the alleged criminal act given by Lee.
Evidence on the death that was given during the bond hearing showed the level of the injuries and the large blood patterns observed inside the house.
Deputies also got to know that Lee was on probation in Florida on an aggravated assault involving the use of deadly weapon and in Ohio state on the past battery offenses such as one where the records indicate that Lee pushed a woman and punched her in the face.
These preceding legal matters were applied in court to disallow bond.
Lawyers explained to the judge that the statements made by Lee to law enforcement such as Perpetuo falling in the shower as a result of her medical condition did not match forensic evidence.
They insisted that the judge deny bond as was granted and Lee remained in jail awaiting further hearing.
Is LB Darron Lee Facing the Death Penalty and What Could Happen Next
As a result of the court hearings, District Attorney Coty Wamp stated that the state may impose the death penalty according to Tennessee law since the case fits into the category of aggravating factors related to violence of the charges.
Prosecutors had not, however, filed capital punishment papers as of February 12, 2026.
Lee will be required to stand before a magistrate court during a preliminary hearing on March 9, 2026, and the prosecutors and attorneys will present further evidence and arguments during this time.
Should the case go to trial and the prosecutors are seeking the penalty by officially filing the case, Lee might receive a capital sentence.
Another option is that in case prosecutors are not pursuing the penalty, there is still a chance of a life sentence or other serious punishment.
AI Overview
Darron Lee Gabriella Carvalho Murder Charges: Darron Lee, a former NFL linebacker is accused of first degree murder and tampering with evidence in the murder of his girlfriend Gabriella Carvalho Perpetuo in Hamilton County, Tennessee (2026).
Investigators discovered blood in almost all the rooms, stab wounds, a broken neck, and blunt force trauma.
Detective Brian Lockhart provided the testimony on the scene of violence, and Lee is still in jail without bond, and prosecutors want to impose the death penalty.
His career as a first-round pick in the NFL by the Jets and as a linebacker with the Kansas City Chiefs form the basis of the case, which compares the success of his career with severe legal repercussions.
FAQs
1. How do we have reasons to connect Darron Lee to the murder?
There was also evidence in the scene such as blood on floor, on the staircases and a garage with the names of both Lee and Perpetuo registered and evidence of tampering of evidence. The injuries did not match what Lee said to police, and he was present in the house when the discovery was made.
2. Does Darron Lee have any chance of being sentenced to death?
Yes. The Hamilton County prosecutors have stated that they could pursue the death penalty because of the inhumane nature of the crime. No final decision was filed as of February 12, 2026, but Lee is still being held without bond awaiting further hearings.
3. What is the NFL history of Darron Lee?
Lee was an Ohio State linebacker and a 1st-round draft in 2016 in the NFL. He was a professional player of New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills and he even won a Super Bowl. His football career is in stark contrast with the harshness of the legal charges on his case at present.
4. What is the next court date of Darron Lee?
Lee is to receive a preliminary hearing on March 9, 2026, where additional evidence will be introduced. The case might be taken to court and prosecutors may seek capital punishment or other harsh sentence.
