The story of Aaron Hernandez, a star tight end for the New England Patriots turned convicted murderer, is a tragic fall from grace. Beyond the headlines of crime and sports scandal, a complex financial aftermath unfolded following his suicide in 2017. One key question lingers: what happened to Aaron Hernandez’s money and house? This article delves into the intricate details of his estate, the legal battles, and the fate of his assets intended for his daughter.
The financial saga began to publicly unravel when Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, Aaron’s fiancée and mother of his daughter Avielle, requested the trust fund established for Avielle to cover a $10,697 dance lesson bill. This seemingly simple request opened a Pandora’s Box, revealing a contentious dispute over the control and management of Hernandez’s remaining assets. David Schwartz, the court-appointed trustee, denied the request, citing that Jenkins-Hernandez already received a substantial annual sum—over $150,000 from Hernandez’s NFL pension and Social Security—meant for Avielle’s daily needs. This refusal ignited a legal battle that exposed questionable spending and raised concerns about the true beneficiaries of Hernandez’s estate.
Schwartz’s scrutiny of Jenkins-Hernandez’s expenditures revealed eyebrow-raising figures: over $36,000 on clothing, including maternity wear, nearly $40,000 on home goods, and significant online shopping sprees exceeding $25,000. Furthermore, over $11,000 was categorized as “self-care,” encompassing gym memberships and salon visits. Robert O’Regan, representing Schwartz, voiced concerns about these expenses, questioning if they genuinely benefited Avielle. The core issue wasn’t about denying Avielle a comfortable life, but rather about the appropriateness and proportionality of these expenditures against the intended purpose of the funds.
This financial discord escalated into a legal showdown. Jenkins-Hernandez sought to remove Schwartz as trustee, arguing that his refusal to pay for dance lessons was detrimental to her daughter’s well-being. She maintained that all her spending was focused on providing a stable life for her children, defending her financial decisions. Her lawyer, Stephen Withers, dismissed the controversy as “much ado about nothing,” asserting that allegations of inappropriate spending were “absolutely false.”
However, Schwartz remained unconvinced. He countered by requesting Jenkins-Hernandez’s removal as Avielle’s conservator. This conservatorship had initially granted her the authority to establish the trust fund that Schwartz now managed. Losing this role would shift control of Hernandez’s pension and Social Security income to a new conservator, who would then dictate how the money should be utilized for Avielle’s benefit.
The backdrop to this financial dispute is the dramatic downfall of Aaron Hernandez himself. Once a celebrated NFL star, his legacy is now overshadowed by his conviction for the murder of Odin Lloyd, the boyfriend of Jenkins-Hernandez’s sister, and his subsequent suicide in prison. Adding another layer of complexity, Hernandez’s brain, post-mortem, showed signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition linked to repeated head trauma and associated with mood swings and violent behavior. This revelation provided a tragic context to his actions, though it did little to resolve the immediate financial and legal issues.
Jenkins-Hernandez, who had been with Hernandez since high school, faced the daunting task of rebuilding her life after his death. They were never married, and Hernandez died without a will. Consequently, Avielle, as his sole heir, became the beneficiary of his estate. Jenkins-Hernandez, according to her lawyer, was unemployed, further complicating her financial situation.
Despite the absence of a will, the settlement of Hernandez’s estate, which included the sale of their 7,100-square-foot mansion in North Attleborough, Massachusetts, did offer some financial footing. The trust, managed by Schwartz, covered the expenses for Jenkins-Hernandez’s Rhode Island home and Avielle’s education. Separately, Jenkins-Hernandez directly received Hernandez’s pension and Social Security payments, funds legally designated for Avielle’s welfare.
A critical point of contention arose from Jenkins-Hernandez’s role as conservator. She was legally obligated to provide annual financial disclosures detailing her expenditures. Schwartz pointed out that these disclosures were submitted late and, upon review, revealed what he deemed “questionable” expenses. Charges at luxury department stores like Harrods, ATM withdrawals amounting to nearly $30,000, and significant bank overdraft fees raised red flags. Of particular concern was a $39,655 expenditure categorized as “education,” including a substantial sum directed to Bay Path University—a university Avielle was nowhere near attending.
Jenkins-Hernandez’s spending also included over $12,000 for a service labeled “Ask My Accountant,” the specifics of which remained undisclosed by her and her legal team. While her lawyer maintained the appropriateness of all expenditures and expressed willingness to answer questions, the lack of transparency fueled further skepticism.
O’Regan, while acknowledging Jenkins-Hernandez’s dedication to Avielle, suggested a possible sense of entitlement. He speculated that she might have perceived Hernandez’s NFL fortune as freely accessible, leading to less stringent financial boundaries. The legal proceedings aimed to clarify these boundaries and ensure the funds were managed responsibly for Avielle’s long-term benefit.
The legal motions from both sides remained pending, with Schwartz advocating for the case to be transferred to a specialized court for complex disputes. While a hearing concerning the dance lesson bill was initially scheduled and then canceled, Avielle’s dance lessons were reportedly funded through alternative means, indicating Jenkins-Hernandez’s commitment to her daughter’s activities, albeit amidst financial scrutiny.
Looking ahead, O’Regan argued for a future where Jenkins-Hernandez would no longer be entrusted with the direct management of Avielle’s funds. Avielle is set to inherit the trust fund, currently valued at approximately $700,000, when she turns 25. The legal battle essentially revolved around ensuring the responsible stewardship of these funds until Avielle reaches that milestone. O’Regan explicitly stated his belief that Jenkins-Hernandez had been “co-mingling the child’s funds with her own,” citing excessive spending, repeated violations of court decrees, and a lack of timely financial reporting as evidence of her ineffective conservatorship.
Aaron Hernandez and Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez in court
In conclusion, what happened to Aaron Hernandez’s money and house is a story of complex legal wrangling and financial oversight in the wake of tragedy. While his house was sold and contributed to the estate, the ongoing dispute centers on the management of his remaining assets, primarily the trust fund, pension, and Social Security benefits intended for his daughter, Avielle. The core conflict revolves around ensuring these funds are used appropriately for Avielle’s benefit, amidst concerns about potential misuse and the desire for transparent financial management. The legal outcomes will ultimately determine the future control and utilization of Aaron Hernandez’s remaining estate, with Avielle’s well-being at the heart of the matter.
