Where is DJ Hernandez now? Details about Aaron Hernandez’s brother explored

Dennis Johnathan Hernandez, also known as DJ Hernandez, is the brother of the late NFL player Aaron Hernandez. The United States Attorney's Office reported that DJ Hernandez has been detained at a federal facility since January 2025. DJ Hernandez was taken into custody since his arrest on state charges last July 2023, and he is due to be sentenced on February 6, 2025.

He was arrested several times during 2023 and pleaded guilty recently to charges of threatening a shooting at the University of Connecticut (UConn) and to threats against other people outside the state.

ESPN reported that Terry Hernandez, his mother, mentioned he had Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. DJ's mother informed police about his deteriorating mental health around the time of his arrest in July 2023.

A special episode of the series Murder Under the Friday Night Lights, Aaron Hernandez and the Untold Murders of Bristol, will air on Investigation Discovery (ID) on January 8, 2025, at 9 ET/PT.

This is a two-hour show that will uncover the circumstances in which former NFL player Aaron Hernandez died and got involved with not one but two serial murderers from his hometown high school.

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Background of DJ Hernandez

According to The Boston Globe, DJ Hernande grew up with his younger brother Aaron in Bristol, Connecticut. DJ played as a quarterback and wide receiver for the University of Connecticut from 2004 to 2008, but he did not enter the NFL like his brother Aaron, who played for the New England Patriots as a tight end.

Aaron's life went dark when he was convicted of murder in 2015 and then took his own life in prison in 2017.

Aaron Hernandez (Image via Getty)

After Aaron's death, DJ reportedly suffered psychological problems of his own and even started displaying disturbing behavior. As per People Magazine, he had been arrested multiple times for making serious threats to institutions and people.

According to CNN, some of these threats were aimed at educational institutions like UConn and Brown University. He allegedly threatened shootings and violent utterances through social media.

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Contemporary judicial affairs

In December 2024, DJ Hernandez pleaded guilty to charges related to threatening a shooting at UConn. Federal prosecutors alleged he made multiple statements threatening to carry out violence on campus while communicating with another individual on Facebook Messenger.

According to People magazine, he allegedly expressed no concern for collateral damage, stating he would "take down everything" when he went to UConn. CNN reported that this incident followed earlier arrests in 2023, where he was charged with breach of peace after throwing a brick at ESPN's headquarters and making threats against various organizations.

New York Jets v New England Patriots (Image via Getty)

CNN also mentioned that DJ's new behavior has caused concerns related to his mental health. Family members indicate that the young man has been facing extreme hardships, which manifest symptoms typical for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. His mom told police that DJ's mental health had worsened a lot after Aaron's death, and that is the reason for his ever-increasing bizarre behavior.

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Aaron Hernandez's legacy

Aaron Hernandez's legacy persists and has a long shadow in DJ's life. After Aaron's conviction for murder and his subsequent suicide, DJ Hernandez has been in the limelight time and again due to his relationship with Aaron. He has also been speaking in various interviews and public statements on how Aaron's life and struggle affected him personally.

In 2018, he gave an interview to CBS about Aaron.

“I loved him. I love him… the whole thing is just so tragic,” he said.

According to People magazine, he also wrote a book called The Truth About Aaron: My Journey to Understand My Brother, in which he delved into their relationship and the impact of CTE on athletes such as Aaron.

Pittsburgh Steelers v New England Patriots (Image via Getty)

He noted,

"I believe CTE played a role in who Aaron became. If we had known about it earlier, maybe things would have been different."

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As of early January 2025, DJ Hernandez faces legal hurdles resulting from his statements against educational facilities and persons. The sentencing date is set for February 2025.