Report ties Patriots’ Aaron Hernandez to man on night of slaying

New England tight end Aaron Hernandez appears to be directly tied to the slaying of a 27-year-old man found in North Attleborough, Mass., according to a Boston television station report that cites an unnamed law enforcement official.

Hernandez has not been named as a suspect in the case, although police have visited his home twice in the past two days. According to the Boston Globe, his attorneys issued a statement saying they would not comment until the investigation is complete.

The Patriots have yet to comment on the situation.

Police said Wednesday that the body found near Hernandez’s home Monday was that of Odin Lloyd of Dorchester, Mass., and that his death has been deemed a homicide.

According to the Fox 25 report, Hernandez, Lloyd, and two other men were in a Boston bar the night of the homicide, and the four left together at some point in a car driven by Hernandez. The report said this was confirmed by a text message sent by Lloyd to another friend, and that forensic evidence places a vehicle driven by Hernandez at one of the crime scenes.

Police said they are searching for a silver side-view mirror cover which is believed to have broken off a car between Dorchester and North Attleborough. They have not explained how the mirror relates to the case.

In a separate matter, Hernandez was accused in a federal lawsuit filed last week of shooting a man in the face in February after an argument at Tootside’s, a strip club in Miami.

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