Aaron Hernandez: A Look At The Fiancée And Child He Left Behind

The story of Aaron Hernandez is one of the most tragic situations the NFL has ever seen. Hernandez appeared to have everything going for him as a professional athlete; he had a beautiful fiancée and baby daughter, and a contract playing tight end for one of the best teams in the NFL, the New England Patriots. Hernandez was unknowingly suffering from the degenerative brain disease CTE, or Chronic traumatic encephalopathy. According to the NHS, "CTE is a progressive brain condition that's thought to be caused by repeated blows to the head and repeated episodes of concussion. It's particularly associated with contact sports, such as boxing or American football. Most of the available studies are based on ex-athletes."

Aaron Hernandez received a life sentence for the murder of his friend (and future sister-in-law's boyfriend) Odin Lloyd in 2013. He sadly died by suicide in his jail cell, and it was later disclosed that he was suffering from CTE; possibly one of the worst cases that experts have ever seen in a person his age. The brain of Aaron Hernandez at the young age of 27 showed such severe damage, that it was similar to someone who died in their 60's of the same cause (via The New York Times).

In fact, per The Washington Post, this was the most severe case of CTE ever seen in a person at the age of 27. Aaron Hernandez left behind a daughter, Avielle Hernandez, and high-school sweetheart-turned-fiancée Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez.

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline​ by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255)​.

According to TMZ, Hernandez left a heartbreaking suicide note for longtime love Shayanna Jenkins that reportedly read: "You have always been my soulmate and I want you to love life and know I'm always with you. I told you what was coming indirectly! I love you so much and know you are an angel." Many speculated that Hernandez knew that if he died an "innocent man," (his murder conviction at the time was pending appeal), Jenkins and daughter Avielle would be entitled to the remainder of his $6 million-a-year salary from the New England Patriots.

Under Massachusetts law, since Hernandez died while he was deemed innocent, the Patriots could not fire him and withhold money from his family. There has been a fair amount of speculation that this is why Aaron Hernandez took his own life — to ensure his family was set forever. Though the two were never officially married, Jenkins officially had her name changed and hyphenated to show her love and loyalty to Hernandez, legally changing it to Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez (via Yahoo! Sports).

f you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline​ by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255)​.

Netflix released a chilling three-part documentary called, "Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez," with a focus on Hernandez' speculated bi-sexuality, and his chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The documentary insists that Hernandez took his own life because he was tortured inside due to his sexuality, though nothing was ever proved with evidence. It also draws attention to the years of head trauma that he experienced due to playing football; explaining that the autopsy did in fact show that Hernandez was truly suffering from a severe case of CTE.

After the documentary was released, Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez appeared on "Good Morning America" and was asked what she thought should not have been discussed in the docuseries. "I would have to say, Aaron's sexuality," she answered. "You can't describe someone's sexuality without them being here. Although I've had a child with Aaron, I still can't tell you how he was feeling inside. No one can."

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline​ by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255)​.

Sweet Avielle Hernandez pulled at the public's heart strings during the highly publicized murder trial for her father, Aaron Hernandez. Hernandez famously blew his young daughter a kiss that was caught on camera as she saw him enter the Massachusetts courtroom, per Daily Mail.

According to Naija Super Fans, Avielle (who was born in 2012), is living in Rhode Island with her mom Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez and half-sister Giselle. She trains as a competitive dancer at Cheryl's School of Dance; according to her mom's Instagram, Avielle is an award-winning dancer! "Such an amazing day full of love and support. You rock my little rockstar," Jenkins-Hernandez captioned on an instagram post where the two lovely ladies held two large trophies and Avielle sported a tiara. In another instagram post, Avielle can be seen looking extra adorable donning medals around her neck and holding signs that read "Title WINNER" and "Second Place Overall."  We couldn't be happier for her.

Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez had to basically start over again as a single mom following the death of Aaron Hernandez.  However, Jenkins-Hernandez didn't waste any time feeling sorry for herself, but dove head-first into creating a better life for little Avielle. According to the Daily Mail, Jenkins-Hernandez eventually found love with former football player (he coincidentally played college football with Aaron Hernandez), amateur boxer and bar owner Dino Guilmette. Guilmette and Jenkins-Hernandez gave Avielle a beautiful baby sister as well, Giselle. 

When the news first broke that Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez had not only found love again, but was expecting a baby girl, many who knew Aaron Hernandez thought he would be thrilled: for Avielle to have a sister, and for Jenkins-Hernandez to no longer be alone. "Regardless of the trouble Aaron got himself into, he was a good kid to those close to him," said a source to Radar Online. "He would be very happy for Shayanna."

Although she's only ten years old, Avielle Hernandez already boasts over 2,000 followers on Instagram; despite the fact that she does not appear to be very active, posting only a few photos. Avielle's instagram account made sure to note that it's "Managed by [her] mom @shayjhernandez" to keep the creeps away. Can't be too careful these days!

In addition to following her mom Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez' page, she also follows little sister Giselle, her step-father Dino Guilmette, and her dance studio — Cheryl's School of Dance – among a handful of other friends. Interestingly enough, Avielle doesn't follow anyone famous from Disney, Nickelodeon, or any type of pre-teen public figure. 

From the looks of the Hernandez girls' social media accounts, it would appear that they are extremely well-adjusted and living a happy life despite their harrowing past. It's clear from social media that Avielle Hernandez is a devoted daughter and sister, and her late father would be proud.

Aaron Hernandez was found dead by suicide in his prison cell in less than a week after the not guilty verdict came back on his additional double murder trial, per CNN. On the fourth anniversary of Hernandez's passing, Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez made an incredibly touching tribute on social media. She posted a photo of Hernandez holding a pair of baby shoes in his palm. 

"Since you've been gone, the loss hasn't gotten any easier ... I still hurt. I still cry. I still wonder why. Your memory is what gets me through each day as I remember all the special things about you ... you are missed, loved and thought of heavily today. Avielle and I continue to talk about you and keep your presence alive. May you continue to Rest In Peace and watch over us daily. With love always and forever," Jenkins-Hernandez's Instagram post read.

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline​ by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255)​.