Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez played an important role in the life of Aaron Hernandez, the late NFL star whose story continues to generate significant interest. Their relationship began in childhood, developed during high school, and unfolded against a backdrop of tragedy and legal issues.
Shayanna and Aaron met as kids and started dating in high school. They became engaged in October 2012, just before their daughter Avielle was born. Aaron enjoyed a successful career with the New England Patriots and signed a $40 million contract, but authorities charged him with murder, causing their lives to take a serious turn.
In 2015, a jury found Aaron guilty of killing Odin Lloyd, who dated Shayanna’s sister, Shaneah. Many stories have covered the murder trial and Aaron’s time in prison, including a recent FX series called “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez,” which aims to present new perspectives on both Aaron and Shayanna.
Shayanna has always supported Aaron and insisted that he was innocent. “I want Aaron to be known as innocent because he was,” she told Dr. Phil in 2017. “He was full of life, so sweet, very lovable, would do anything for anyone … He’s the love of my life.”
Shayanna Jenkins’ Role In Aaron’s Life And Legal Battles
Despite everything, Shayanna described Aaron as a caring father. Their daughter Avielle was born on November 6, 2012, the same day as Aaron’s birthday. Shayanna said he was “absolutely in love” with their daughter and focused on her above all else. In June 2018, she gave birth to their second daughter, Giselle, just fourteen months after Aaron’s death.
Shayanna was an important witness in both of Aaron’s murder trials, and her testimony was crucial to the cases. During the trial for Lloyd’s murder, she explained how Aaron asked her to throw away a box from their home, which led to perjury charges against her. Those charges were later dropped after she received immunity to testify.
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After Aaron’s death by suicide in April 2017, Shayanna expressed doubts about what really happened. She said, “I don’t think this was a suicide,” and noted that he looked forward to coming home after the court found him not guilty of another murder charge just days before his death.
Also Read: How Many Criminal Charges Were On Late NFL Star Aaron Hernandez?
Shayanna Jenkins’ Life After Aaron Hernandez’s Death And Her Take On His Sexuality
There have also been rumors about Aaron’s sexuality since his passing. In a book written by his defense attorney, Shayanna shared her wish that Aaron had been honest with her if he felt differently about his sexuality. “If he did feel that way, I wish that I was told. I would not have loved him any differently,” she stated.
Today, Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez is an insurance broker and runs an event-planning business. She also manages the trust fund set up for their daughter Avielle. However, she has faced criticism regarding how she used those funds, especially when she requested reimbursements for expenses that seemed unrelated to Avielle.
Each year, Shayanna honors Aaron on the anniversary of his death, sharing touching tributes on social media. “Today we think of you with heavy hearts and positive memories,” she wrote in April 2019, showing the love she and Avielle still have for him. Shayanna Jenkins shared a life with Aaron Hernandez filled with deep love, complicated challenges, and a strong commitment to their family, which left a lasting impact after their difficult experiences.
