Aaron Hernandez Had 'John 3:16' Written in Red Ink on Forehead Before Death

Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez had Bible verse "John 3:16" written on his forehead at the time of his suicide, a law enforcement official confirmed on Thursday, according to the Boston Globe's Travis Andersen and John R. Ellement.

Bob Ward of Fox 25 initially reported on Wednesday that Hernandez had the Bible verse written in blood on his forehead, along with an open Bible in his prison cell when his body was discovered.

He later clarified, tweeting, "John 3:16 message found on Hernandez forehead written in red blood marker, not blood story developing."

The WBZ investigation team for CBS Boston reported Hernandez had the Bible verse on his forehead but noted he "also appeared to have red marker on his hands and feet."

On Wednesday, per ESPN's Michele Steele, the Massachusetts Department of Corrections released a statement announcing Hernandez died by suicide in his prison cell:

WBZ also reported law enforcement officials are checking into whether Hernandez "may have smoked synthetic marijuana called K2 Tuesday night."

John 3:16 is one of the best-known Biblical verses, reading "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Hernandez was serving a life sentence in prison without opportunity for parole for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. He was found not guilty for the July 2012 double-murder of Safiro Furtado and Daniel de Abreu outside a Boston nightclub on April 14.

The 27-year-old played three seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots from 2010-12.