Gabriella Perpetuo had a broken neck and a bite mark on her thigh when she was found dead last week
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Gabriella Perpetuo (left) and Darron Lee.Credit : GoFundMe; Rich Graessle/PPI/Icon Sportswire via Getty
The slain girlfriend of former NFL player Darron Lee — who is now charged with murder — suffered brutal injuries, including a bite mark and stab wounds, according to investigators.
Gabriella Perpetuo was found dead by police responding to a report of CPR being performed at an Ooltewah, Tenn., residence on Thursday, Feb. 5, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said last week.
Her boyfriend, former NFL linebacker Darron Lee, was arrested at the scene on murder charges.
In an update released on Tuesday, the sheriff’s office identified Perpetuo as the victim.
Investigators are now shedding light on Perpetuo’s injuries.
She was found with a broken neck and a bite mark on her thigh, Detective Brian Lockhart told Local 3. She also suffered a “severe brain injury” and had been stabbed multiple times.
Lockhart further told the outlet the residence was marked with signs of violence: a smashed microwave, bloodied “drag marks” across the floor and alcohol bottles everywhere.
There was also blood found in “every room but one,” as well as on the banister of the stairs, Lockhart said.
Cleaning supplies were found around the house, and authorities alleged in an affidavit that Lee tried to clean the scene, per the outlet.
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Gabriella Perpetuo.GoFundMe
Lee, who formerly played with the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs, allegedly said during his arraignment this week that Perpetuo may have fallen in the shower, Local 3 reported.
At the time of his arrest last week, Lee was on probation out of Florida and Ohio, Local 3 reported.
Former NFL Star Darron Lee Charged with Murder in Connection with Girlfriend’s Death
Perpetuo’s cousin has set up a GoFundMe to assist her parents as they travel from Florida to Tennessee to retrieve her body.
The funds raised are also intended to assist the family with funeral costs and attorney fees, the organizer said.
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Darron Lee.HCSO
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Lee has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence, according to online court records. The sheriff’s office has said there may be more charges.
Online court information did not show if he has retained an attorney and it’s not clear if he has entered pleas. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 9.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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