CHATTANOOGA, Tenn — Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee was denied bond Wednesday in Chattanooga after a judge heard disturbing testimony about the death of his girlfriend inside a rented Ooltewah home.
Lee is charged with first degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo. Prosecutors also indicated they intend to seek the death penalty.
We learned in court the gruesome details about the Perpétuo’s murder, including the presence of ‘blood in every room,’ and in a vehicle in a garage.
Darron Lee makes his first court appearance in Chattanooga after he was arrested and charged in the murder of his girlfriend in nearby Ooltewah, Tennessee. Photo: WTVC
During the bond hearing, jurors were not present. Instead, testimony focused on whether Lee should remain behind bars as the case moves forward.
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Detective Brian Lockhart, one of the first investigators on scene, described a chaotic and violent crime scene.
“The scene was in disarray,” Lockhart said. “You walked in the door, there were boxes. A lot of stuff in the living room. The deceased was in the floor lying on her back.”
Lockhart said Lee was inside the home when deputies arrived. According to testimony, Lee told officers Perpétuo had narcolepsy and likely fell in the shower, causing her injuries.
Investigators said the evidence did not match that explanation.
Darron Lee makes his first court appearance in Chattanooga after he was arrested and charged in the murder of his girlfriend in nearby Ooltewah, Tennessee. Photo: WTVC
Lockhart testified there was blood on the staircase, handrails, walls, floors, and in nearly every room of the house. A vehicle in the garage registered to both Lee and Perpétuo also tested positive for blood using BlueStar, a chemical detection system.
There was blood going up the staircase, on the hand railing there was blood, on the walls there was blood, on the floor in the living room there was blood, in the floor on the hallway and the stairs.. there was blood in just about every room except one,’ Lockhart told the court.
He said the microwave was shattered, glass was scattered throughout the home, and alcohol bottles were present. Detectives also found cleaning supplies upstairs, including bleach wipes, a spray bottle, and a full bag.
An autopsy revealed what Lockhart described as severe injuries, including severe brain trauma, a broken neck, bruising across her body, a large bite mark on her shoulder and thigh, stab wounds to her legs, and significant facial trauma. The medical examiner determined Perpétuo died from blunt force trauma.
Lockhart said she was wearing pants but no top when found.
Under cross examination, Lockhart confirmed Lee was the one who called 911. He said Lee told dispatchers Perpétuo was unresponsive and again suggested she may have fallen in the shower.
Investigators also located Lee’s passport inside a BMW in the garage in a bag containing clothing and personal belongings.
‘Extremely unique’
A Tennessee Department of Corrections and Parole officer testified that Lee had been on probation for an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon conviction in Florida. She said Lee moved to Tennessee without approval from his probation office, violating the terms of his supervision.
District Attorney Coty Wamp argued Lee posed a significant risk and should not receive bond.
“This case is extremely unique when it comes to all the bond factors,” Wamp said.
Wamp detailed Lee’s prior felony convictions in Florida and Ohio and said he was required to attend anger management classes as part of his probation. She noted that if Lee had completed those classes, his probation would have ended three days after Perpétuo’s death.
The defense asked the court to set bond.
Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Tori Smith denied bond, ruling Lee will remain in custody.
Photo from Darron Lees arrest in 2014. Photo via WSYX.
This case follows a previous incident in 2023 in Dublin, Ohio, where records show Lee pushed a woman and punched her in the face multiple times.
Lee remains in custody as the case moves forward.
Depend on us to keep you posted.
National Headline
