Hernandez Uncle Dies: Former Patriots Player Loses Second Family Member Since Murder Charge
The uncle of former NFL star and current murder suspect and Aaron Hernandez was killed in a moped crash in Connecticut, it is the second death of one of Hernandez's family members since his murder charge.
Bristol police identified the victim of the early Saturday morning crash as Robert Valentine of Bristol, who was the one of the brothers of Terri Hernandez, Aaron's mother, according to The Boston Globe.
Another member of Hernandez's family, Thaddeus Singleton III of Bristol, was killed when the car he was driving crashed into a country club building on June 30. He was married to Hernandez's cousin.
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Hernandez was charged with murder in the death of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd, who was found less than a mile from Hernandez's home.
The former New England Patriots tight end faces several charges. In addition to the murder charge, he also faces charges of possessing a firearm without a license, possessing a large capacity firearm and a firearm without an ID card.
The body of Lloyd was found June 17 in the woods near Hernandez's home. The death was ruled a homicide and police arrested Hernandez at his home Wednesday morning.
Hernandez was seen partying with Lloyd at a Boston nightclub on Friday night; police reviewed the surveillance video from the club in order to put together a timeline of Lloyd's last days and hours. Lloyd was found dead, shot in the back of the head, around 5:30 p.m. Monday by a jogger. Police believe he was killed between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. that morning.
The Patriots previously released a statement following their decision release Hernandez:
"A young man was murdered last week and we extend our sympathies to the family and friends who mourn his loss. Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation. We realize that law enforcement investigations into this matter are ongoing. We support their efforts and respect the process. At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do."
