Aaron Hernandez found hanged in cell

BOSTON — Convicted killer and former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez was found hanged in his prison cell early Wednesday morning, according to officials.

Officials said Hernandez was found hanging in his cell by corrections officers at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley around 3:05 a.m.

A source tells FOX25's Bob Ward that Hernandez had written "John 3:16" on his forehead in red marker and left a bible in his cell open to that verse. The source initially said the bible verse was written in blood, but that information is not correct.

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Officers immediately began to render life-saving techniques before Hernandez was taken to UMass Leominster where he was pronounced dead at 4:07 a.m.

Hernandez was in a single cell in a general population housing unit when he was found hanging from a bed sheet that he had attached to his cell window, according to officials.

Also, officials said, Hernandez tried to block his cell door from the inside by jamming it with several items preventing it from being opened.

A prison spokesperson told The Associated Press that it's unclear if Hernandez left a note before Hernandez hanged himself in his cell and stressed that the investigation is still fluid and ongoing.

The Associated Press also reported that prison officials had no concerns that Hernandez was planning to kill himself. If so, the Associated Press reported, he would have been taken to a mental health unit.

Massachusetts State Police are still investigating.

FOX25's Blair Miller said the New England Patriots are aware of Hernandez's suicide but would not be commenting on it Wednesday while the team is at the White House celebrating its Super Bowl win.

Hernandez was serving a life-sentence for killing Odin Lloyd in 2013.

He was acquitted Friday in a 2012 double killing in the South End that prosecutors said Hernandez committed after one of the men allegedly spilled a drink on him.

Stay with FOX25 on-air and online for the latest on this breaking news story.

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