Dylan Howard - Aaron Hernandez’s Killing Fields: Exposing Untold Murders, Violence, Cover-Ups, and the NFL’s Shocking Code of Silence

PRAISE FOR DYLAN HOWARD

Dylan Howard is the rare combination of cutting-edge journalist, true crime commentator and relentless investigator. Howard passionately brings comprehensive and groundbreaking analysis to the most compelling mysteries of our time.

Dr. Phil McGraw, host of TVs #1 daytime talk show, Dr. Phil

Dylan Howard is one of the finest journalists writing today. His depth and breadth of experience are second to none; he follows every intricate angle of a story and exposes the truth. As a former detective, I know firsthand the skills that make an exceptional investigator, and Dylan has them in spades.

Bo Dietl, former NYPD homicide detective with over 1,400 felony arrests

A tabloid prodigy.

Jeffrey Toobin, CNN and The New Yorker

The king of Hollywood scoops.

Adweek

When Dylan Howard focuses his attention to investigating a case, you can be sure he will uncover sensational new information that we, as readers, viewers or listeners, will find astonishing.

Dr. Drew Pinsky

The go-to guy for authoritative showbiz news and analysis on cable and over-the-air television.

Los Angeles Press Club

Aaron Hernandezs

KILLING

FIELDS

Aaron Hernandezs

KILLING

FIELDS

Exposing Untold Murders, Violence, Cover-Ups, and the NFLs Shocking Code of Silence

DYLAN HOWARD

Copyright 2019 by Dylan Howard

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Start Publishing, 221 River Street, 9th Floor, Hoboken, NJ 07030.

Front page Detectives is an imprint of Start Publishing LLC.

Visit our website at www.start-publishing.com.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Jacket design by 5mediadesign

Jacket photos: Getty/AMI

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-5497-3

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-951273-01-9

Printed in the United States of America

This book provides a startling insight into the darkest corners of American sports, where nothing is quite like it seems.

To those, like Michelle, Don, Jarrett, and Bo, and others, who participated in our investigtion, and who believe the truth is out there and still worth searching for, I thank you.

To the brave new witnesses who stepped forwardin the hope of providing justice to innocent familiesyour role can never be underestimated.

FOREWORD

I just wanted to tell you this morning that I love you. You never have to question us. I will stop questioning you and us. I realized through our thing over the past few days how much I love you and how much I want you and us. Mainly how I want you [to] know what real love, real loyalty is, and to experience someone who is with you through all in life. We will have ups and downs. Times of some pain and suffering, but together we will make it right. Im sorry for overreacting, but its something I have to work on, because Im used to being done dirty my whole life.

I know I have my own issues as we all do, but you could always keep it real with me too. It will help me grow too. Just know Im here for you to help you through all in life. Ive got your back, your front, and your side, and you for eternity. I know Im going to go through hell dealing with you in life, but I cant ever give up on you, because thats the type of love I have. Now you see why love is my weakness in life and how I go so hard for the ones I have love for. All your issues are and will always be my issues. We will try to avoid all with respect, but if your crazy mouth gets you into shit, Ill be there always, even though Im going to want to beat your ass after, LOL. Never question me or hide anything. Thats all I ask. I got you.

I hope you have a great day, you will. Come to my door, ASAP. I miss you so much. You should be wide awake, knowing you sleep all fucking day, LOL. I just wish we were cellmates, so I could at least kiss you on the forehead and say I love you. Then let you sleep while I make sure you have your coffee ready when you wake up. (Spoiled bitch!) I wouldnt have it any other way. I truly love you that much. No words can describe it, nor will it ever, but Im still stressing.

You told me you didnt want to be on the block anymore. Did you really mean that? I mean, Ive said way worse, so I understand, but still, it made me almost hang myself. I cant even imagine them separating us. Ill feel like Im missing all of me. Fuck half of me. I love you that much. I just wanted you to begin this day knowing how loved you are and that you have someone through it all in life. Someone who will never not stand by you, not have your back, but only show you true love and true loyalty like you never experienced. I have you forever. I havent told you in a little, but you are perfect. I know Im blessed to have you. I will let you know that forever and no matter what we have to overcome, we all have to grow in life. Its a never-ending growth in life, but Ill be with you through all of it. True ride or die.

AARON HERNANDEZ JAILHQUSE LETTER TO LOVER KYLE KENNEDY

AUTHORS NOTE

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

PLATO

Shakespeare couldnt have written the twisted tragic tale of Aaron Hernandez.

A rise to fame that left in its wake destruction, revenge, scorned lovers, families divided, and murder... and for what? To keep a secret? Yet what could be deemed so dark that a famous athlete would risk everythinghis family, his fortune, and his fame?

For the past two years, a team of investigators and I have conducted hundreds of hours of interviews with those who knew him the most, sought previously unreleased documents under Freedom of Information laws, uncovered and questioned new witnesses, obtained text messages and recordings of dozens of jail-house phone calls, and visits between Aaron, his family, and his friends. At times, we faced pushback. At times, things stopped adding up. That was when we knew we had to dig deeper. Luckily for us, this was precisely what the law enabled us to do.

Many of the previous investigations into the life or Aaron Hernandez were hamstrung by the simple fact that Aaron was still alive. When an individual is still living, it can be virtually impossible to obtain files, visitation audio, sealed court documents, or any evidence related to their case. But when a person dies, this information can be made public.

This is what allowed us to relaunch an investigation into his life and death with the goal to uncovering the real truth.

Thus, following the death of Aaron, our team of law enforcement experts were able to get far more access into his personal life. Here, for the first time ever, we had information that ultimately led to credible leads and evidence, piecing together the puzzle he left behind.

We fought tirelessly with law enforcement to unseal documents and obtain clues that might have been overlookedand we traveled to Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Las Vegas, and Connecticut, leaving no stone unturned to uncover a grisly path of ghastly terror that Aaron left behind.

All to answer one lingering question. Why?

***

Aaron Hernandez was the superstar tight end for the storied New England Patriotsthe most successful sports team of the past half century. He was blessed with a new $40 million NFL contract, lucrative endorsement deals, a beautiful fiance, and a perfect young daughter.