The family of a woman who Tennessee officials say was killed by a former Ohio State football player has now filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit.
Gabriella Perpetuo, 29, died on Feb. 5 at a home in Hamilton County, Tennessee, near Chattanooga. Perpetuo was the girlfriend of former New Albany resident Darron Lee, a linebacker on the 2014 Ohio State national championship team.
Lee, 41, is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in connection with her death. His next court date is currently scheduled for March 9. Lee is being held in custody without bond.
Prosecutors have said the charges Lee currently faces are statutorily eligible for the death penalty but no decision has been made about whether or not it will be pursued.
Lawsuit: ‘Violent physical struggle’ led to Darron Lee’s girlfriend’s death
According to the lawsuit, which was filed on Feb. 12 in Hamilton County Circuit Court, Perpetuo suffered prior to her death as a result of the injuries she sustained during a “violent physical struggle and intentional assault.”
Her family is seeking $50 million in damages as well as coverage of Perpetuo’s funeral costs.
The lawsuit says Perpetuo had a broken neck and back, multiple stab wounds to the upper and lower portions of her body, significant head trauma and a brain injury.
A Hamilton County (TN) Sheriff’s detective who testified at a Feb. 11 hearing said that the physical evidence at the home where Perpetuo was found did not match Lee’s initial story – that Perpetuo had fallen in the shower.
The detective testified there was blood evidence in nearly every room of the home, as well as evidence that someone had tried to clean it in some areas.
Darron Lee’s career, past offenses
Lee graduated from New Albany High School and played linebacker for Ohio State’s 2014 national championship team. Lee was the defensive MVP in the 2015 Sugar Bowl as well. Lee left school early and became a first round pick in the 2016 NFL draft, selected by the New York Jets.
Lee last played in 2020.
In 2023, Lee was charged in Franklin County Municipal Court with domestic violence after an incident with a female family member. During the investigation, Dublin police learned of an earlier alleged incident involving the mother of Lee’s child.
Lee pleaded guilty in 2025 to reduced charges and was on probation.
Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Family of Tennessee woman sues former OSU player charged in death
Reporting by Bethany Bruner, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
