NFL’s Aaron Hernandez charged with murder, held without bail

Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was charged on Wednesday with murder and ordered held without bail in the death of fellow NFL player Odin Lloyd.

Hernandez — wearing red shorts and sneakers, and with his arms inside a white V-neck t-shirt and behind his back — was handcuffed, led out of his home and put in the back seat of a police car.

Just hours after his arrest, the Patriots announced that they were releasing Hernandez from the team.

"A young man was murdered last week and we extend our sympathies to the family and friends who mourn his loss," the team said in a statement. "Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation. We realize that law enforcement investigations into this matter are ongoing. We support their efforts and respect the process. At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do."

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Twenty-seven-year-old Lloyd's body was found on June 17 about a half-mile from Hernandez's home in an industrial park by a jogger. He had been shot in the head. Lloyd's family said he was friends with Hernandez and had been with him the previous day. Lloyd's girlfriend and Hernandez's fiancée are sisters.

Hernandez reportedly destroyed his cellphone and video surveillance system the day Lloyd's body was found, and also had his home professionally cleaned.

But prosecutor Bill McCauley said surveillance footage retrieved from Hernandez's home showed him leaving earlier the night Lloyd was killed with a gun.

Authorities said the accused and two friends picked Lloyd up at his home at around 2:30 a.m. local time and the two had a discussion when Hernandez said he was upset about something that had happened at a nightclub days before.

Lloyd then allegedly texted his sister about an hour later and, after asking she had seen who he was with and she asked who, he answered "NFL" and "Just so you know."

Industrial park workers reported hearing gunshots minutes later.