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Aaron Hernandez’s brother had 'bipolar episode' days before arrest for throwing brick at ESPN HQ

For the March 8 incident, Dennis 'DJ' Hernandez was pressed with five criminal charges, including reckless driving and engaging police in pursuit
PUBLISHED MAR 28, 2023
Aaron Hernandez’s brother Dennis 'DJ' Hernandez was arrested twice in March (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images and screengrab from WFSB)
Aaron Hernandez’s brother Dennis 'DJ' Hernandez was arrested twice in March (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images and screengrab from WFSB)

BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT: The brother of the late Aaron Hernandez has been in trouble lately. It has been said that Dennis “DJ” Hernandez had a bipolar episode just days before his ESPN vandalism arrest last Thursday, March 23. The 36-year-old has been accused of throwing a brick at ESPN's headquarters in Bristol.

RadarOnline.com reported that along with the brick, he also threw a note that said, “To all media outlets. It’s about time you all realize [sic] the effect [sic] media has on all family members. Since you’re a worldwide leader maybe you could lead how media and messages are delivered brick by brick. Clean it up!”

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‘Charged with breach of peace’

For last week's incident, he has been slapped with a charge of breach of peace and is expected to appear in court in early April. However, another incident happened on March 8 when Dennis was allegedly driving his silver Hyundai at high speed and recklessly through Cheshire.

TMZ reported that the Cheshire Police Department claimed that the family member of the late NFL star was so erratic on the road that he even went through grass fields close to the Cheshire Correctional Institution. However, when officers tried to stop him, he jumped a red light and fled.

Mother ‘believed he needed to be mentally evaluated’

After losing track of Dennis, cops called his mother Terri Hernandez, who told them that her son had “been acting very strange and she believed he needed to be mentally evaluated at a hospital.” Ultimately, following “a brief foot chase” the man was caught, and according to an official document, he was suffering from a bipolar episode and wanted himself to be arrested since “he no longer wanted to stay at his mom's house.”

As per reports, Dennis was then taken to the Bristol Hospital on a Police Emergency Examination Request. He was also slapped with five criminal charges, which includes reckless driving and engaging police in pursuit. He is expected to be in court on April 13 for a hearing.

‘There were no signs of a struggle’

Dennis is the elder brother of Aaron, who died in April 2017 inside Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, Lancaster in Massachusetts. He was in jail since 2015 after being convicted of the 2013 murder of former semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd.

Aaron Hernandez #81 of the New England Patriots smiles from the sidelines in the fourth quarter during a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on December 10, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Aaron Hernandez #81 of the New England Patriots smiles from the sidelines in the fourth quarter during a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on December 10, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

It is believed that he died of suicide. The Massachusetts chief medical examiner, Dr Henry N Nields, said at the time that the “manner of death was suicide and the cause asphyxia by hanging. There were no signs of a struggle, and investigators determined that Mr Hernandez was alone at the time of the hanging.”

Besides, Patriots tight end Dan Gronkowski had expressed his sadness over Aaron’s death. He told ESPN’s Josina Anderson, “When I was on the team with (Aaron Hernandez) it was Rob (Gronkowski), myself, and (him). We all got along and had a good time. We didn’t have any issues with Aaron ever.”

Aaron Hernandez #81 of the New England Patriots leaves the field during a game with New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 21, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Aaron Hernandez #81 of the New England Patriots leaves the field during a game with New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 21, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

“So I mean, that was all just a side thing that no one knew what was going on. We didn’t even know that that was even happening. It wasn’t even like we thought something like that was going on. So, it’s just sad to hear that, knowing that you (knew) somebody that has gone through that stuff and chose that route. It’s just unfortunate that this whole thing has come about,” Gronkowski added.

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