= Tho Commonwoalth of NEssachusolts
Department of Fate Bolice
coomene amen AMiesachustte Pata Lelie Dactive Usit
pencil Wearceter County District Attorney
ag poser 81 Lafayette Porect
cot ene. Wcator, HEA 01608
Thursday, May04,2017
t Detve LieenantAlnD. Hane #120, Unit Commander
Sate Police Detective Unt- Worcester County
FROM: Trooper ames Foley, #2759
Sate Police Detective Unit - Worcester County
SUBJECT: Death Investigation of Aaron J Hemandez DOB: 11/06/1989 atthe Souza-Baranowski
Correctional Center in Lancaster, MA on April 19, 2017
1. On Wesnesdey, April 19,2017 at approximately 0415 hs, the undersigned was advised by the CHQ
Duty Office that the Massachusets Department of Coretions was reporting the unattended death of
27 yearoldHispnis male, HERNANDEZ, Aaron, in cell #57 of the general housing uoi-2 athe
Souza-Baranowski Conectonal Center. The undesianed was further advised tht HERNANDEZ was
anspor tthe UMASS Heath Alliance Hospi in Leominster, where HERNANDEZ was
ronounced deceased,
2. The undersigned responded slong with Lieutenant Danial Wilgrube and Tpr Kristin Ganton of
SSS othe UMASS Health Alliance Hospital in Leominster. Upon aval the undersigned spoke with
‘Sergeant Todd Smith of the Massachusets Deparment of Cortetions Office of Investigative Services.
1 ge
Rcallnen oe Peron Tanugh Reality Paling‘Sergeant Smith advised that at around 0303 hes code “99" was called by Conon Officer Gerard
Breau reporting HERNANDEZ was hanged in cellt $7. Once other CorectonsOfies arrived on
seen, the Conetion Offices discovered the doo was “pegged”; cardboard had ben shoved into the
oor ack to preven the doo from opening, The Correction Officers had o manly pen the door
enter the cll. As they entre the cll the Conetion Offices discovered tht HERNANDEZ had placed
‘lage amount of shampoo on he flr, which made it very slippery. The Correcon Offices were able
twcut HERNANDEZ down, who was hanged naked fiom a bed shee ted aroundthe window bars. As
the Comection Officers began CPR, meical staf ave on sone and sttached the AED, which advised
“No Shock”. CPR was continued as HERNANDEZ was transported to UMASS Heath Alliance
Hospital in Leominster by Woods Ambulnce
3. Upon arrival at UMASS Health Alliance Hospital, HERNANDEZ vias tested by Doctor Evan
ined consciousness and was declared deceased at 0407 brs by Dr
4 Asthe undersigned entered the treatment oom inthe emergency room ofthe UMASS Heth
Alliance Hospital at approximately 0521 hs, the undersigned observed Coreton Office Hilton and
Correction Offices Aziz standing by a gumey covered witha shet. The undersigned removed the sheet
and observed HERNANDEZ witha cervical collarbrace.Ligatue marks were vse on
HERNANDEZ’s neck and there was some dscharge/vomit fom his nase and meuth areas
NN 11£RNANDEZ's right idl ger had a sh cut and
there was some blood on the adjacent fingers. Thee also appeared to be a large rele blood mark on
tach of HERNANDEZ's fet and “John 3:16" was written on HERNANDEZ’ ferchesd in nk, There
sere no othe
gn of trauma or vilence on HERNANDEZ’s body. Petechil hemorrhaging was
present in both eyes. Lividity was present and rigor mots was beginning to sett. Tr. Glanton
shotographicaly documented HERNANDEZ 's boy.
21g:
Becalanon On Prion hah Reolity Polesing5. Representatives ofthe Offce of the Chief Medial Examiner aived on sene and took custody of
HERNANDEZ’s boy at approximately 0630 hrs. HERNANDEZ’s body was transported tothe OCME
office in Boston.
6 Lieenant Wilde, Tp Glanon andthe undersigned responded to Souza-Baranowski
Correctional Center on Api 19,2017. St Sith vised the undersigned that HERNANDEZ had
teem locke in is single nmat: cell around 1959 rs. HERNANDEZ remained in the cll nti 0303
‘us when HERNANDEZ was Gscovered hanged. Sergeant Smith nd Sergeant Michael Rumery, the
Imer Perimeter Security Commander advised the undersigned that thre was vdeo survellance ofthe
(G2 cl block from he time HERNANDEZ entre the cll ntl thetme he was transported by Woods
“Ambulance. According to SgtRumery no one entre he cell until Carecton Orfcer Breau entered 10
render a
7. Lieutenant Wildgrbe, Tp Glanton andthe undersigned observed the cardboard stuffed int the
oor tracks prior to entering the cell On the wall inthe cell were several drawings and “John 3:16
‘wten ine substance consistent with Blood. Under the drawings was a Bible open to John 3:16, with the
16th verse marked in blood. Next tothe Bible were 3 hand writen 0c
MMI 1 cersiged ook custody ofthe notes.
8. Under the bed was apiece of bed sheet that had been cut nd that hd been around HERNANDEZ's
neck. Tied‘ the bars on the window was the other piece ofthe bed set. Lieutsnant Willgrabe cut the
sheet fom the window and pled tint evidence. There were no signs of struggle in he cll. Tpr
Clanton photogrphiclly documented the sene
Brcelence on Femvice Through Quality Bolicing9. Lieutenant Wilgrube and th undersigned spake with Coetion Ofer Breau on Api 19,2017
Conetion fcr Breau advised hat he was working the 250-0700 sit and was asigned tothe G2
hosing unit. Corection Officer Breau last saw HERNANDEZ sound O10 rs during the 0100 check
‘According to Comection Officer Breau around 0303 hs he observed a sheet hanged in font of
HERNANDEZ’ cell door. Conetion fcr Breau stked HERNANDEZ to remove the shet or sound
off: As Conetion Officer Breau poked at piece ofthe short that was hanging out ofthe dor, the
Sheet fll and CO Breau cbserved HERNANDEZ hanged naked fom the window. Correction Officer
Brea immediately called a code “9 and one the dor opened, Conestion Officer Breau and other
Correction Officers tempted tli HERNANDEZ upto relieve pressure. As HERNANDEZ was cut
sown, Conection Oficer Brau began performing chest compressions and swapped outwith other
Correction Officers until HERNANDEZ. was removed from the unit.
10, Sgt Rumery and Set Smith provide the undersigned with copes ofthe video survellne, logs and
‘eprsin reference to HERNANDEZ's dest, Al ether tems deemed to hae no evidentiary val were
leftin he custody of ihe Department of Coneetons. Over the course ofthe investigation the
undersigned reviewed surveillance video ofthe G2 housing unit nd phone bys and calls of
HERNANDEZ on Apei
3, 2017. The surveillance video shows hat HERNANDEZ was onthe
‘Phone just prior to being locked in his ell, HERNANDEZ enters is cel
one at approximately 1959
hrs and the cell door is locked unt 0307 hs when the door is opened forthe code 99", The
undersigned ls listened ols 5 phone calls HERNANDEZ made on April 18,2017. HERNANDEZ.
oes not make any apparent indication ofan intent to harm himselt during any ofthe phone call
11, On Wednesday April 19,2017, Doctor Henry Niels ofthe OCME perfirmed an autopsy of|
HERNANDEZ. Dr. Nields determined the cause of death o be aaphyxia byhanging. The manner of
Seah was ruled by Dr Nields asa suicide. postmortem toxicology of HERNANDEZ’: blood came
back negative forall substances tested t include sythati cannabinoid
Boraonee hu Paice Thosugh Realty Pobaing12, On April 24,2017 the undersigned responded tothe Department of Corrections Office of|
Investigative Services in Milford, MA. The undesigned took custody of copy of ete found in
HERNANDEZ’ propery s wll as, copies of several known writing samples of HERNANDEZ.
1B, On April 24,2017 at spproximstly 1400 brs, the undersigned delivered copies ofthe leters found
in HERNANDEZ’scell andthe known writing samples rovied by the Department of Corctons to
‘McCann Associates, nc. in Boston. All copies of eters and writing samples were tured aver to Nancy
MeCann fr review.
1M, On May 3, 2017 the undersigned received a copy of MeCann Associates, ne, Preliminary
‘Questioned Document Report. The rept was prepared by Nancy McCann and determined! with
"Yeasonable degree of certainty” thatthe letters found in Hernando’ cell and properties were written by
HERNANDEZ,
15, Based upon the findings ofthe Office ofthe Chief Medical Examiner and the investigation by the
Undersigned, the undersigned respectfully requests this ate be closed unless nev information is
ncowered th wold warantthe case being re-opened
Respeciily Submited
“Trooper James J Foley, #2739
Massachusetts State Police
‘State Police Detective Unit: Worcester County
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