Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez is a documentary on Netflix that has returned attention to the real story behind the Aaron Hernandez case. The former New England Patriots star hasn’t been able to escape the limelight even after his death, with this documentary only serving to fuel the discussion once again.

We want to run through some of the aspects of the show that we found to be the most shocking across all three episodes.

It goes without saying, but if you have yet to watch the series in full, you may want to look away now.

Phone Calls

One of the most chilling aspects of the series came from the phone calls that were recorded between Hernandez and his loved ones when he was locked up in prison.

With the calls essentially on public record at this stage, nobody would’ve really opposed to them being introduced into the story, but it was certainly surprising to hear his voice from the time that this all went down.

From the happiness to the vulnerability and beyond, it’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions that the audience is going through right alongside them.

CCTV Footage

The evidence used throughout the course of Aaron Hernandez’s ordeal was of vital importance to the case, and quite a bit of it came from CCTV footage.

It’s one thing to hear about these stories and allegations in passing on the news, but it’s entirely different seeing some of the elements play out before your very eyes. The footage from within Aaron’s home was the most striking, with many noting that he didn’t even think to erase the footage despite the fact that it could’ve helped him in the long run.

Alexander Bradley Shooting

Alexander Bradley served as a key component to the entire Aaron Hernandez saga from start to finish. As we found out more and more about him from the man himself, it became clear that this wasn’t your average story.

It was revealed that Bradley was shot by Aaron Hernandez, further complicating what was already a fairly complex tale. It continued to remind the viewer that this wasn’t your typical tragedy and that things were taken in multiple different directions courtesy of the actions shown by the former Patriots star.

Robert Kraft Testifies

Robert Kraft evidently had a close relationship with Aaron Hernandez during his time in New England, but under the circumstances in the courtroom, none of that mattered.

The thing that caught the most attention was how Hernandez insisted on looking back and essentially staring at Kraft both before he came into the room and then after. It came across as a defining moment, and it was just bizarre to see someone of Kraft’s stature being dragged into this situation, especially after everything the Pats franchise had already gone through.

Guilty Verdict

Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison back in 2013 for the murder of Odin Lloyd, and because people were allowed to see the conviction live on television and again during the documentary, it almost didn’t feel real.

Hernandez didn’t even flinch when the verdict was read out loud after he was confirmed to be guilty of first degree murder. It was the moment the whole series had been building towards, with the emotional nature of the jury’s decision being seen in the faces of Hernandez’s loved ones shortly afterward.

Not Guilty Verdict

Aaron Hernandez was viewed as a prime suspect in the 2012 double homicide of two immigrants who had come over to Boston from Cape Verde in what turned out to be a moment in real importance both in his life and the series itself.

Nobody was quite sure as to whether or not Hernandez would be found guilty for a second time, but after the not guilty verdict came in, Aaron broke into tears in front of the entire courtroom. This was certainly a weight off of his shoulders, but it didn’t erase the fact that he’d already been convicted for the previous crime, although an appeal was taking place.

Jose Baez’s Involvement

The lawyer of Aaron Hernandez for the double homicide trial, Jose Baez, is a well-known figure that played a leading role in helping Hernandez as he was eventually found not guilty.

Jose Baez did not enjoy the finished product of the documentary, despite the fact that he agreed to play a role in the piece through some commentary. He has since gone on to say that he did so “reluctantly”.

The whole situation with Baez was called into question, although the man himself continues to state that he wants to try and get to the bottom of it all.

Sexuality Talk

During the documentary, there were discussions that suggested Aaron Hernandez was involved in a homosexual relationship during his youth, and that he may have been suppressing his true sexuality throughout a large portion of his life.

Regardless of the speculation surrounding that matter, it was definitely eye-opening to see what kind of environment Aaron grew up in, with his father being vehemently opposed to homosexuality and queer identity.

Whether or not it played any sort of role in what eventually happened is, again, a source of debate and controversy for many.

Suicide

Aaron Hernandez committed suicide on April 19, 2017, just days after his acquittal for the double homicide. He hung himself.

It’s still considered a questionable death by many conspiracy theorists to this day, with some believing that the aforementioned talk about his sexuality played a role in his demise.

It’s odd to see any news story about a suicide given the sadness surrounding it, and when it came to Hernandez, there was a mixed response to what was almost the final chapter in this story.

CTE Revelations

CTE, aka Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a disease caused by persistent head injuries that have been found in many former athletes, and particularly NFL players.

The revelation that Hernandez suffered from CTE came near the end of the documentary. Hearing and seeing the gritty details of what was going on inside the head of Aaron Hernandez made the case all the more confusing, as viewers wrestled with the idea that he was in a horrendous physical and mental state at the time of the incidents in question.