One day after former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was charged with murder in North Attleborough, Mass., he is being tied to a 2012 double homicide in Boston.
Also, Connecticut officials confirmed the arrest of Carlos A. Ortiz of Bristol, where Hernandez grew up, in connection with the murder of Odin Lloyd, whom Hernandez is accused of targeting with an “orchestrated execution.”
The Boston Globe reported that Hernandez is being investigated in connection with a 2012 double murder in Boston. Investigators believe that Lloyd may have had information about Hernandez’s role in the 2012 killings, which may have been at the heart of Hernandez’s motive for killing Lloyd, according to the Globe.
Hernandez, 23, was cut by the Patriots shortly before being arraigned Wednesday. He’s scheduled to appear in court T hursday to re-address bail, which was denied by the judge Wednesday.
New Britain, Conn. state’s attorney Brian Preleski confirmed in a written statement that Massachusetts authorities had asked his office and Bristol police to help with their investigation of Lloyd’s death.
Ortiz, of Federal Street in Bristol, was charged Wednesday with being a fugitive from justice and later appeared in Superior Court in Bristol, Preleski said. Ortiz reportedly waived his right to an extradition hearing and documents related to Ortiz’s arrest and incarceration were sealed.
In his statement, Preleski said: “Both the Bristol Police Department and the New Britain State’s Attorney’s Office will continue to provide whatever assistance we can in connection with this investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, we can have no further comment at this time.”
Ortiz’s original charge in Massachusetts was violation of probation, Bristol police said. They wouldn’t confirm that the arrest is related to the Hernandez investigation.
Court records show that Ortiz has a history of larceny and criminal mischief convictions, and was on probation at the time of his arrest Wednesday afternoon.