By: Lillie Lelko
Twenty-nine-year-old Gabriella Perpétuo was found dead in her Ooltewah home on Feb 5, resulting in the arrest of her live-in boyfriend, Darron Lee, a former NFL linebacker.
Prior to the arrest, Lee called law enforcement authorities, telling them he thought Perpétuo might have fallen in the shower, according to an article published by the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
The former pro-football player was at the scene when Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies arrived, HCSO law enforcement authorities stated in a press release. HCSO Criminal Investigative Services responded due to Perpétuo’s condition and took Lee into custody, ruling the death a homicide.
Lee, 31, has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. According to the article published by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Judge Tori Smith denied Lee bond after Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp cited Lee’s ability to flee the state, his past convictions and possible candidacy for the death penalty.
Perpétuo’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Lee in the Hamilton County Circuit Court, seeking $25 million in compensatory damages and $25 million in punitive damages, according to the wrongful death complaint.
The lawsuit claims that Lee intentionally harmed Perpétuo.
“As a result of Defendant’s (Lee) intentional assault, Decedent (Perpétuo) sustained severe bodily injuries… consistent with a violent physical struggle and intentional assault,” the lawsuit stated.
Perpétuo’s family is represented by Attorney C. Mark Warren.
Warren said, in a video with Perpétuo’s parents posted online by Local 3 News, that while money can’t change the situation the family is facing, the lawsuit will hopefully help punish Lee and assist with funeral expenses.
“The money will come from his bank accounts, his investment accounts, his personal property, his real estate, his pension plan,” Warren said in the video.
According to the wrongful death complaint, Perpétuo was found with multiple stab wounds, a fractured neck, human bites, blunt force trauma to the head and bruising on the left side of her face.
Perpétuo’s mother, Monique, is quoted in a Local 3 News article describing the moment she learned Perpétuo was killed.
“I heard the police officer asking, ‘Is this the residence of Noemia Monique Perpétuo?’ very firm,” she recalled. “I knew in that moment. I kneeled down and prayed to God to have mercy on my daughter, to keep her here on earth [with] us, but it was too late.”
In an effort to raise funds for the family, someone who identified themself as Perpétuo’s cousin created a GoFundMe page with the username, Tati A. The page raised $61,513 by Feb. 16 with a goal of $100,000. Tati A. stated on the GoFundMe website that Perpétuo’s body is still in Tennessee, and her parents are trying to return her to Florida as soon as possible.
“The traveling and funeral expenses are something no family should need to worry about in these times,” Tati A. stated on the GoFundMe page. “We are also adding the cost of attorney fees. We’d like to help take some weight off their shoulders in any way possible.”
Perpétuo was only three months away from completing her nursing degree at Broward College, according to an article on the Local 3 News website.
“She was studying to become a registered nurse,” her father, Nilson Perpétuo, was quoted as saying in the Local 3 News article. “She wanted to take care of babies working in pediatrics.”
Perpétuo’s family released a statement to the media asking for privacy.
“At this moment of deep pain and mourning, we kindly ask for understanding and respect as our family gathers strength to speak publicly about this tragedy,” the statement reads. “…May justice be done and may no other woman ever have to endure such an atrocity.”
