Aaron Hernandez's Fiancee Speaks Out After Documentary Premiere
In January 2020, three years after former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez's suicide in prison at the age of 27, Netflix released a docuseries about his tumultuous life titled, Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez. The project is generating a lot of buzz on social media and some of the chatter has caused Hernandez's loved ones to speak out, including his former fiancée and the mother of his daughter, Shayanna Jenkins.
The Connecticut native, who reportedly started dating Hernandez when they were in high school, shared an emotional message on Instagram shortly after the film's premiere, hinting at the emotional pain she's experienced seemingly due to being forced to relive the past. It's a past that includes Hernandez being convicted in 2015 for murdering her sister's boyfriend, Odin Lloyd, being indicted and then acquitted of murdering Daniel Jorge Correia de Abreu and Safiro Teixeira Furtado, and Hernandez committing suicide one month before his conviction for killing Lloyd was dismissed by a judge in Massachusetts. The judge reportedly made the decision because the former football pro died before his appeal could be heard, but a ruling from Massachusetts' highest court in March 2019 reinstated the conviction, calling the legal precedent "outdated."
The last few years of Hernandez's life were undoubtedly difficult for Jenkins given her deep ties to the athlete. So let's take a moment to find out what the NFL player's ex-fiancée has to say about the compelling documentary.
Shayanna Jenkins needs some space
With the release of the Netflix docuseries, Shayanna Jenkins received many messages from the public. It's unclear exactly what the notes say, but it's obvious that the mom of two appreciates the support. "I wanted to let all of you sweet sweet souls know I have tried to read every message sent on IG and through email (positive and negative)...," she penned via Instagram on Jan. 16, 2020. "The amount of support and positive energy is again unreal! I'm sure you will all understand how imperative it is to take some time away from social media."
This isn't the first time Jenkins has broken her silence. Aaron Hernandez's former fiance spoke with Dr. Phil McGraw in May 2017, and she also gave an interview to ABC News in August 2018. Then there's Oxygen's 2018 series, Aaron Hernandez Uncovered, which she appears in multiple times. "I just want him to be known for what he is instead of what people are speculating him out to be from what they see on TV," Jenkins explained to Dr. Phil after his suicide. "They want to make him out to be this monster, and he's not. I just think that it's time for Aaron to be free."
Shayanna Jenkins is open about her grieving process
Shayanna Jenkins isn't afraid to share her feelings, no matter how difficult it might be. Case in point? On the anniversary of Aaron Hernandez's death in April 2019, she took to Instagram to let him know she and his daughter, Avielle, are doing just fine. "Today we think of you with heavy hearts and positive memories!" she penned. "Although you aren't here physically Avielle and I speak about you often and keep you in close spirit. The energy and personality Avielle has is totally you!"
In the post, Jenkins also addressed her support group, adding, "They say it takes a village and that's very true, I've had a great support group overall ... however, I'd like to especially appreciate the men in Avielle's life that have been the guidance she needs and more – she may not know it yet but you all have a huge impact on her life and Aaron wouldn't want it any other way!!! Because of the emotional support you all have shown and provided – this day pushes me to be stronger and accomplish what Aaron May have wanted to."
Despite the village surrounding Jenkins, there are still days when she's plagued with unanswered questions about her life with Hernandez. "There are so many what-ifs," Jenkins admitted in Oxygen's Aaron Hernandez Uncovered (via E! News). "You just never really know what demons he could've been facing."
Shayanna Jenkins is moving on with her life
Despite the feelings Netflix's documentary about Aaron Hernandez might have resurfaced for Shayanna Jenkins, she's still managing to move forward with her life. The mom welcomed her second child into the world in June 2018, a daughter with boxer Dino Guilmette. The dad spoke to Radar Online in May 2018 about the happy development, stating, "I'm going to have my hands full but I'm happy about it. I'm excited. It's my daughter. She will have two sisters. I have another daughter from a previous relationship and then there's Shayanna's daughter with Aaron. It's very exciting." As of January 2020, the little girl's name seemingly hasn't been released.
It's unclear whether Jenkins and Guilmette are still together today, but, based on her Instagram account, it appears that Jenkins is happy living her life as a mom of two regardless of the drama surrounding the documentary about Hernandez.