Photo: Getty Images
Aaron Hernandez's fiancé is getting a lot of attention these days.
By Nicole Pomarico — Written on Jan 23, 2020
Ever since Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez dropped on Netflix this month, people can't stop talking about the convicted killer and former NFL player — and his personal life.
In the documentary, Hernandez's fiancé, Shayanna Jenkins, was front and center in the three-part series, and so was the way they kept their relationship alive during his imprisonment.
But who is Aaron Hernandez's fiancé? Here's everything you need to know about Jenkins.
RELATED: 5 Theories That Say Aaron Hernandez May Have Been Murdered (And Didn't Commit Suicide)
1. Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder in 2015.
Formerly an NFL player for the New England Patriots, Hernandez was convicted of the murder of Odin Lloyd, fellow football player, in 2015, when he was given a life sentence. Hernandez was originally arrested and charged in 2013 after Lloyd's body was found having been shot multiple times. And that wasn't all Hernandez was suspected of, either — In 2014, he was indicted on two other murders related to a drive-by shooting, but he was acquitted of those murders in 2017.
A crazy twist: At the time of his death, Lloyd was dating Hernandez's fiancé's sister, Shaneah — yes, read that fact again — causing a rift between the sisters since Jenkins decided to stand by Hernandez through the trial and his conviction. After he died by hanging in his prison cell, his family donated his brain to be studied and scientists found that he had a severe case of a neurodegenerative brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy that commonly affects football players. Although it looked like his conviction could end up being thrown out because he died before he could appeal it, the conviction was upheld in March 2019.
2. Who is Aaron Hernandez's fiancé? He and Shayanna Jenkins were together for years.
In the documentary, we learn that Hernandez and Jenkins started dating in high school, and their relationship lasted well into their 20s and beyond Hernandez's conviction. In 2012, they got engaged and welcomed a daughter together named Avielle. Their relationship continued until Hernandez's death in 2017.
3. Hernandez wrote a suicide note to Jenkins before hanging himself in his prison cell.
When Hernandez was found dead in his cell, investigators also found three suicide notes, including one that was written to Jenkins. In the note, Hernandez wrote of his love for her, as well as asking her to tell the world his story.
"Tell my story fully but never think anything besides how much I love you," he wrote. "This was the Supremes, the Almightys plan, not mine!"
4. Despite speculation about Hernandez's sexuality, his relationship with Jenkins was reportedly "genuine."
After Hernandez's death, there were allegations that he had relationships with men — one of whom is extensively interviewed in the documentary about their burgeoning sexual relationship in highschool — but whether or not those are true, sources close to Hernandez claim that what he had with Jenkins was real.
“Aaron was attracted to men, but the relationship that he had with her was 100 percent genuine,” the insider said. “He loved her, and thought of her as his soulmate.”
5. Today, Jenkins is engaged to Dino Guilmette.
More than two years after Hernandez died, it seems Jenkins is doing her best to move on. She's currently engaged to Guilmette, a former boxer, and they have a daughter together named Giselle. She frequently updates her Instagram, mostly sharing photos of her daughters in action — and occasionally sharing tributes to Hernandez as well.
6. She's currently taking a break from social media.
After the documentary was released, Hernandez took to Instagram to share that she was taking a break from social media after being inundated by messages from people that had seen her story on Netflix.
Although her history with Hernandez has obviously impacted her, it looks like Jenkins has moved on and focusing on her life with her future husband and children, while still honoring Aaron's memory — as tragic and disturbing as his life became.
Nicole Pomarico is an entertainment and lifestyle writer whose work has appeared in Cosmo, Us Weekly, Refinery29, and more.