Ex-NFL player kills himself in prison

Former NFL footballer Aaron Hernandez has been found dead in his cell in Massachusetts, officials say.

Hernandez hanged himself at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center and was pronounced dead later at hospital.

The former New England Patriots tight end, 27, was serving a life sentence for killing a man who was dating his fiancee's sister.

Last week he was acquitted of a drive-by double murder prosecutors said began over an argument about a spilled drink.

Hernandez had cried in court as that verdict was read, saying he was "very happy".

Massachusetts Department of Correction officials confirmed his death on Wednesday.

They said he had tried to block the door to his single cell prior to hanging himself.

Lifesaving techniques were performed on Hernandez and he was taken to UMASS Leominster hospital where he was pronounced dead at 04:07 local time (08:07 GMT).

State police are on the scene and his next of kin have been notified, officials said.

State Department of Correction spokesman Christopher Fallon said in a statement that he was not aware a suicide note had been written and that officials had not been concerned that Hernandez would take his life.