Aaron Hernandez's Lawyer Says Pre-Death Notes Were Not for a Prison Boyfriend

Jose Baez, the lawyer who represented former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez in his double-murder trial, denied a letter in Hernandez's prison cell was written to a lover.

"Rumors of letters to a gay lover, in or out of prison, are false," Baez said, per TMZ Sports. "These are malicious leaks used to tarnish somebody who is dead."

Hernandez was found dead in his prison cell Wednesday in an apparent suicide. Three letters were in his cell at the time of his death.

NBC News' Daniella Silva reported Monday a judge released the letters to Hernandez's family. Hernandez addressed one of the letters to his fiancee, Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, and another was addressed to his child. The Daily Mail reported Friday that one of those letters was addressed to a "prison lover."

Paul Jarvey, a spokesperson for the Worcester County District Attorney's Office, said it was unclear to whom Hernandez wrote the third letter, per Silva.

CNN's Jay Croft reported private funeral services were held for Hernandez on Monday.