Home of Patriots’ Aaron Hernandez searched in possible homicide

Police in North Attleborough, Mass., reportedly searched the home of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on Tuesday in connection with a possible homicide.

A day earlier, the body of a 27-year-old man was found in an industrial yard less than a mile away, and ABC News reported the man was an “associate” of Hernandez.

At this point, the details of the situation are sketchy.

SI.com, citing an unnamed source, reported Tuesday that Hernandez is not believed to be a suspect in the case, but that a car rented in his name could be a key piece of evidence in the investigation.

The Sun Chronicle of Attleborough reported that police recovered a rented 2013 Chevrolet Suburban with Rhode Island license plates near where the body was found. According to the report, the SUV is registered to Enterprise rental car company. Police said they intend to search it for fingerprints.

SI.com also cited a source close to Hernandez who acknowledged a connection between the player and the case but declined to elaborate.

ABC cited two law enforcement sources who said Hernandez was initially uncooperative with police.

Various news outlets reported that police were taking pictures inside his sprawling home, that two men emerged from the home at one point and questioned why authorities were blocking the driveway (they were eventually driven away by police, but not handcuffed), that a woman was led by police into the home, and that one officer walked down the driveway carrying a cardboard box.

Hernandez, 23, was a fourth-round pick in 2010 who made the Pro Bowl in his second season. He was sidelined for 10 games last season, however, because of an ankle injury. He also underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason.

According to the Boston Globe, which cited NFL team sources, Hernandez slipped in the draft because of multiple failed drug tests for marijuana in college.

North Attleborough is located 40 miles south of Boston and 13 miles south of Foxborough, where the Patriots play their home games.

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