The Untold Life: Where Are Aaron Hernandez's Kids Now In 2025?
The tragic and complex legacy of former NFL star Aaron Hernandez continues to cast a long shadow, particularly over the life of his only child. As of late December 2025, the focus remains on his daughter, Avielle Janelle Hernandez, who is now navigating her teenage years under the care of her mother, Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, years after her father's shocking death and posthumous diagnosis of severe Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
The story of Aaron Hernandez is one of immense talent, sudden fame, and devastating downfall, but the narrative of his daughter is a quiet, ongoing journey of resilience and growth. Avielle’s life today is a testament to the family's efforts to provide her with a normal upbringing away from the relentless public scrutiny that defined her father's final years.
Aaron Hernandez: A Complete Biography Profile
Aaron Josef Hernandez was one of the most polarizing figures in modern American sports. His life, marked by extraordinary athletic promise and profound criminal behavior, ended abruptly in a Massachusetts prison.
- Full Name: Aaron Josef Hernandez
- Born: November 6, 1989, in Bristol, Connecticut
- Died: April 19, 2017 (aged 27), in Shirley, Massachusetts (death by suicide)
- Education: University of Florida (played for the Florida Gators)
- NFL Career: Tight End for the New England Patriots (2010–2012)
- Draft: 4th Round, 113th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft
- Partner: Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez (fiancée)
- Child: Avielle Janelle Hernandez (born 2012)
- Major Conviction: First-degree murder of Odin Lloyd (2015)
- Posthumous Diagnosis: Severe Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Stage 3 out of 4, confirmed by researchers at Boston University.
Hernandez's football career was cut short in 2013 following his arrest for the murder of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd, who was dating Shayanna Jenkins' sister at the time. He was convicted in 2015 and sentenced to life without parole. His death in 2017, just days after being acquitted in a separate double-murder case, sent shockwaves across the nation, further complicated by the subsequent CTE diagnosis which his family later cited in a lawsuit against the NFL.
Avielle Janelle Hernandez: Life in 2025 and Her Father's Legacy
Avielle Janelle Hernandez, Aaron Hernandez's only daughter, was born in November 2012. As of late 2025, she is approximately 13 years old, navigating the challenges of adolescence while growing up without her father. She was only four years old when Hernandez died.
Avielle's childhood has been intentionally shielded from the public eye by her mother, Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, who has focused on providing a stable and normal environment. While her life is mostly private, recent information suggests Avielle is attending school and, like many teenagers, has a presence on social media.
A poignant public moment occurred when Avielle shared a selfie wearing her late father's New England Patriots No. 81 jersey. This detail highlights the complex, enduring connection she maintains with the father she barely knew as an adult, a man whose public image is intertwined with both athletic greatness and profound tragedy. Her mother has consistently ensured that Avielle is aware of her father's love for her, separate from his legal troubles.
The Financial and Legal Battle Over Avielle's Trust Fund
A significant part of Avielle's post-2017 life has involved a complex legal battle over her financial future. Following Aaron Hernandez’s death, a settlement was reached with the New England Patriots and the NFL, resulting in a trust fund established for Avielle Janelle Hernandez.
However, this fund became a point of contention. In recent years, Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez faced accusations from the court-appointed trustee of mishandling funds and making excessive requests that were not in Avielle's best interest. The trustee argued that some of the requests, including money for dance lessons and other activities, were not "passions" but rather Shayanna's desires, and that the requests placed a financial strain on the fund. These legal and financial disputes underscore the ongoing challenges of managing the estate left behind by a high-profile figure whose assets were tied up in criminal and civil proceedings.
Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez's Current Family Life and Second Child
Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, who stood by Aaron throughout his murder trial, has moved on and started a new life. She is currently engaged to Dino Guilmette, a former professional boxer and football player.
Shayanna and Guilmette welcomed a daughter together, her second child, in 2018. This means Avielle Janelle Hernandez has a younger half-sister, who would be approximately seven years old in late 2025. The blended family unit, with Shayanna, Dino Guilmette, Avielle, and her half-sister, represents a concerted effort to create stability and happiness after a period of intense turmoil and grief.
Jenkins-Hernandez has been vocal about her commitment to both of her daughters, ensuring that Avielle remains connected to her father's memory while also being a part of a loving and supportive current family structure. She has consistently fought to protect Avielle's privacy and financial security, navigating the complexities of being a mother to Aaron Hernandez's child.
The Lasting Impact of CTE on the Hernandez Family
The posthumous diagnosis of Stage 3 CTE in Aaron Hernandez’s brain is a critical piece of the family's story. CTE is a degenerative brain disease found in athletes with a history of repetitive brain trauma, and Stage 3 is associated with symptoms like memory loss, confusion, and aggressive behavior.
While the diagnosis does not excuse his crimes, it provides a crucial context for the erratic and violent behavior that led to his downfall. For Avielle, the CTE diagnosis may offer a partial explanation for the man her father became, helping her and her family process the tragedy. The settlement reached with the NFL and the Patriots was, in part, a recognition of the significant role brain injury played in his life, providing a measure of financial security for his daughter's future. This aspect of the story remains a powerful reminder of the hidden dangers of professional football and the long-term consequences faced by the families left behind.
In conclusion, Avielle Janelle Hernandez's life in 2025 is a private, yet compelling, narrative of a young girl growing up with a legendary and tragic past. She is thriving under the care of her mother, Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, and her current family, benefiting from the financial security of her trust fund, even as the legal oversight of that fund continues. Her story is a powerful testament to the resilience of a child determined to define her own future, separate from the sensational headlines that consumed her father's life.
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