Former New York Jets first-round pick Darron Lee has been formally indicted on a first-degree murder charge related to the death of his girlfriend, Gabriella Perpetuo, Yankee Scores reports.
A grand jury in Hamilton County, Tennessee returned the indictment on Tuesday. Prosecutors dismissed a separate charge of tampering with evidence to focus on the more serious allegation, according to Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp. The state is now pursuing a first-degree murder conviction, which could lead to a life sentence. A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made in the coming weeks.
Lee is accused of killing 29-year-old Perpetuo in February. A medical examiner determined her cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. The autopsy report noted 12 separate injuries, including several hematomas, bone fractures, and stab wounds. She was found at a rented home in Ooltewah, Tennessee, near Chattanooga.
Former #Jets first-round LB Darron Lee has been indicted on a murder charge in the death of his 29-year old girlfriend.
Prosecutors are seeking a first-degree murder conviction, which carries a life sentence. A decision on whether to pursue the death penalty is expected in the… pic.twitter.com/IQwAUak8Ca
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 11, 2026
In a surprising detail, prosecutors also said Lee asked ChatGPT for medical advice instead of contacting police. He reportedly asked if a fall could cause bruising around the eyes and certain stab-like wounds, according to ESPN.
This is not Lee’s first legal issue. At the time of his arrest, he was on probation in Franklin County, Ohio, and Alachua County, Florida. This probation was related to three separate alleged assault cases involving another man, his mother, and the mother of his child.
A former standout at Ohio State and a Super Bowl-winning linebacker, Lee was selected 20th overall by the Jets in the 2016 NFL Draft. He played 58 games for the Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, and Buffalo Bills between 2016 and 2020.
Lee is currently in the Hamilton County Jail without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on June 17.
