NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. -- Massachusetts State Police searched the home of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on Tuesday night in connection with a possible homicide. A source with knowledge of the investigation said police spoke to Hernandez on Monday.
About 10 police cars flanked Hernandez's home Tuesday night, with cops searching Hernandez's home for more than two hours. One detective was seen leaving the house with a cardboard box.
Hernandez is not believed to be a murder suspect, according to a source, but a vehicle rented in his name has emerged as a key piece of evidence in the investigation. The Sun Chronicle of Attleboro, Mass., reported on Tuesday that police identified a rented 2013 Chevrolet Suburban with Rhode Island license plates in connection with the possible homicide. According to the paper, the vehicle is registered to Enterprise and investigators were hoping to analyze it for fingerprints. A source said Hernandez's name is tied to that rental vehicle.
A jogger found the body of a 27-year-old Boston man on Monday in an North Attleboro clearing, less than a mile from Hernandez's home.
An unmarked car was blocking the driveway to Hernandez's home. Yasmina Serdarevic, a spokesperson for the Bristol County District Attorney's Office, declined comment on Tuesday afternoon when contacted by SI.com.
A source close to Hernandez acknowledged a connection between the player and the case, but would not elaborate. Athletes First, Hernandez's agency, declined comment when contacted by SI.com. Hernandez has consulted with a lawyer, who did not return a call from SI.com.
A fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft, Hernandez was named to the Pro Bowl in his second season. Last season he caught 51 passes and scored five touchdowns for the Patriots.
After the police arrived 7 p.m., two males attempted to leave the house and questioned the blocking of the driveway. After several minutes they were taken away separately by police, but weren't handcuffed.
North Attleboro is 40 miles south of Boston and 13 miles south of Foxboro, where the Patriots play their home games. Hernandez's area of North Attleboro is popular with Patriots players, as Hernandez bought the home belonging to former Patriot Ty Warren.
