Executive Summary
- The family of Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo has filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against former NFL player Darron Lee.
- Lee is currently held without bond on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in Hamilton County, Tennessee.
- Prosecutors have announced their intention to seek the death penalty in the criminal case.
- Police testimony describes the crime scene as having significant biological evidence and details severe trauma to the victim, including a broken neck and bite marks.
Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee is facing a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo, weeks after authorities charged him with her first-degree murder. The civil complaint, filed in Hamilton County Circuit Court in Tennessee, alleges that Lee intentionally and violently assaulted Perpétuo, resulting in her death earlier this month, according to court documents cited by News Channel 9.
Lee, 31, was arrested after Perpétuo’s body was discovered inside a rented residence in Ooltewah, Tennessee, on February 5. In addition to the civil litigation, Lee faces criminal charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors indicated their intent to seek the death penalty in the case. A judge denied Lee bond last Wednesday, ordering him to remain in custody pending trial.
According to testimony provided by Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Detective Brian Lockhart, investigators discovered blood on the staircase, handrails, walls, and floors of the residence. Lockhart testified that the victim suffered extensive physical trauma, including a broken neck, severe brain injuries, and stabbing wounds to her legs. The detective further noted the presence of a large bite mark on the victim’s shoulder and thigh, along with significant facial trauma.
Lee, a former first-round draft pick for the New York Jets in 2016, played three seasons with the team before stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Las Vegas Raiders. He was a member of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning roster during the 2019 season. Records indicate Lee was previously arrested in Ohio in 2023 following domestic assault allegations involving the mother of his child.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Judicial Outlook
The simultaneous filing of a wrongful death lawsuit alongside capital murder proceedings presents a complex legal trajectory. While civil suits have a lower burden of proof compared to criminal cases, the pursuit of the death penalty by prosecutors suggests the state possesses what it considers compelling forensic evidence. Typically, civil proceedings may be stayed until the conclusion of the criminal trial to prevent the defendant from claiming Fifth Amendment privileges during discovery. The severity of the alleged injuries and the capital nature of the charges indicate a protracted legal process ahead for the former athlete.
