Aaron Hernandez Arrest
Law enforcement sources are working on a theory that Odin Lloyd may have "mouthed off" about "secrets" concerning Aaron Hernandez's criminal past. Reuters

Massachusetts State Police have a new theory as to why former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez may have participated in the murder of Odin Lloyd. Authorities have reportedly suggested that Hernandez may have killed Lloyd as a means of preventing the semi-pro football player from revealing secrets about his criminal past.

Although there are several theories concerning Hernandez’s potential motive in the Lloyd homicide, law enforcement sources are reportedly focusing on the idea that Lloyd “mouthed off” to Hernandez about “secrets” concerning the 23-year-old’s past, TMZ reports. Evidence recovered by police reportedly suggests that Lloyd had an intimate knowledge of Hernandez’s criminal activity, including drug-related incidents and violent altercations.

Despite Lloyd’s alleged knowledge of Hernandez’s “secrets,” law enforcement sources don’t believe that the murder victim was involved in an attempt to extort the former Patriots tight end, TMZ reports. Rather, authorities believe that Lloyd flaunted his awareness of the secrets, which Hernandez believed had the ability to damage his relationship with girlfriend Shayanna Jenkins, as well as his career in the NFL.

The new theory on Hernandez’s alleged murder motive corroborates a separate report, in which law enforcement officials told the Boston Globe that Lloyd may have had knowledge of Hernandez’s role in an alleged 2012 double murder. The 23-year-old is currently being investigated in the fatal shootings of Daniel Abreu and Safiro Furtado outside a Boston nightclub. “The motive might have been that the victim knew [Hernandez] might have been involved,” one official said.

On June 26, Hernandez was arrested and arraigned for his alleged role in Lloyd’s murder. He faces six criminal charges, including a count of first-degree murder and several illegal weapons charges. He has pled not guilty to all charges, and his currently being held without bail while he awaits trail.