Avielle Janelle Hernandez turns 13 this year. She’s grown up without her famous NFL father.
Her life changed forever when she was just months old. Today, she’s carving her own path through dance and family.
She Shares a Birthday With Hernandez
November 6, 2012, changed everything for Aaron Hernandez. His daughter arrived on his 23rd birthday.
The Patriots tight end called it his best gift ever. He couldn’t hide his excitement from reporters.
“Having a daughter on your birthday is crazy,” he shared. The bond felt special from day one.
He promised to change his ways. Fatherhood meant growing up fast.
“I can’t be young and reckless Aaron anymore,” he told the media. His daughter was watching now.
But seven months later, everything fell apart. His promises would remain unfulfilled.
Shayanna celebrated Avielle’s 11th birthday in November 2023. The Instagram post melted hearts everywhere.
“First one in, last one out – just like your daddy,” she wrote. That work ethic runs deep.
She Was 7 Months Old When Hernandez Was Arrested in 2013
June 26, 2013, shattered their world. Avielle was only 7 months old.
Police arrested Aaron for first-degree murder. Odin Lloyd’s death changed three families forever.
Lloyd was dating Shayanna’s sister then. The connection made everything worse.
Prosecutors said Aaron orchestrated the shooting. Two other men helped that night.
They picked Lloyd up at 2:30 a.m. A rented Nissan Altima sealed his fate.
The industrial park in North Attleborough became a crime scene. Six shots ended Lloyd’s life.
Nobody knows who pulled the trigger. But Aaron planned it all.
The trial started January 29, 2015. Media coverage exploded everywhere.
April 15, 2015, brought the guilty verdict. Life without parole became his sentence.
The Patriots had already dropped him. His NFL career died instantly.
She Attended Hernandez’s Double Murder Trial as a 4-Year-Old
March 2017 brought another nightmare. Aaron faced double murder charges.
Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado died in 2012. A drive-by shooting outside a Boston nightclub.
Shayanna brought 4-year-old Avielle to court. Her first time seeing daddy there.
Aaron blew kisses across the courtroom. He waved at his little girl.
The Washington Post captured those tender moments. Nobody knew they’d be the last.
April 19, 2017, changed everything forever. Aaron died by suicide in his cell.
Five days after his acquittal. Freedom was so close.
He left three suicide notes behind. One specifically for Avielle.
“Daddy will never leave you,” he wrote. His words promised eternal presence.
“I’m entering the timeless realm,” his note continued. He believed in something beyond.
“Fear is the only separation between us,” he told her. Love conquers everything.
That courtroom visit haunts everyone still. A 4-year-old’s last memory of dad.
She’s a Big Sister
June 16, 2018, brought new life. Baby Giselle changed everything.
Shayanna announced her pregnancy in May 2018. Thirteen months after Aaron’s death.
Sources confirmed Aaron wasn’t Giselle’s father. He hadn’t frozen his sperm.
Shayanna had moved forward with someone new. Life continued despite the pain.
The five-year age gap doesn’t matter. These sisters share an unbreakable bond.
Avielle embraced her role from day one. Protection comes naturally to her.
Shayanna posts about them constantly. “I never have to worry,” she wrote in July 2020.
“They take care of each other,” the caption continued. Sisterly love runs deep.
Instagram shows their adventures together. Dance recitals, birthdays, everyday moments.
She Is a Dancer
Dance became Avielle’s escape and passion. She started competing at age 6.
Shayanna first posted her team jacket photo then. Pride radiated from every pixel.
First grade brought big dreams already. “Professional dancer” topped her wish list.
The Nutcracker gave her a mouse role. Her first major stage performance.
She earned a 5-year achievement award in 2020. Dedication pays off.
Solo performances showcase her talent regularly. She owns every stage.
“Little does she know how proud her dad would be,” Shayanna wrote. March 2021’s Instagram post said it all.
“Baby, you are a STAR,” Mom added. The photos showed pure talent.
But dance expenses caused major drama. September 2022 brought financial battles.
| Request Type | Amount | Decision | Reason |
| Dance lessons | $10,000 | Denied | Daily expenses already covered |
| Annual allowance | $150,000 | Provided | Basic needs and housing |
Attorney David Schwartz questioned the spending. Court documents got messy fast.
“There’s reason to question how resources are used,” records stated. The trust protects Avielle’s future.
Shayanna defended every decision fiercely. “My sole focus is raising my children,” she emailed the Boston Globe.
“All monies spent have this focus,” she continued. Stability matters above everything.
She Has the Same Energy and Personality as Her Father
Hernandez saw himself immediately at birth. “She’s a cutie,” he told reporters.
“I can’t wait to look at myself,” he added. The resemblance was instant.
Shayanna posts comparison photos all the time. February 2019’s side-by-side went viral.
“Daddy’s twin,” the caption declared simply. Young Aaron next to his daughter.
But the similarities run much deeper. Their personalities match perfectly.
“You both act so alike it’s insane,” Shayanna wrote in November 2017. The behavioral patterns mirror each other.
April 2019 marked two years since his death. “The energy and personality Avielle has is totally you,” she shared.
Two years later, the sentiment remained. “You keep his presence alive,” April 2021’s post stated.
Former teammates see it too clearly. “She’s got his spirit,” one said.
That same drive, that same fire. Aaron lives through his daughter.
The work ethic matches exactly. First one in, last one out.
Practice becomes an obsession for her.Just like Daddy on the field.
Her Dad’s Case Made Headlines Again in 2024
May 2024 brought unwanted attention back. Netflix aired The Greatest Roast of All Time.
Tom Brady faced brutal jokes all night. But some crossed serious lines.
Comedian Nikki Glaser mentioned Aaron specifically. References to his death method.
She joked about a ring “around his neck.” The audience laughed uncomfortably.
Shayanna wasn’t laughing at home though. Her daughter heard about it.
TMZ caught up with her afterward. “It’s sad,” she said plainly.
“I’m trying to raise my children in such a cruel world,” she continued. Avielle understands everything now.
She’s old enough to hear the jokes. Old enough to feel the pain.
September 2024 brought more media attention. FX premiered American Sports Story.
Josh Andrés Rivera played Aaron’s role. Ten episodes detailed every moment.
His personal life became entertainment content. Career, conviction, death—all dramatized.
| Media Event | Date | Type | Impact |
| Netflix Roast | May 2024 | Comedy Special | Hurtful jokes |
| American Sports Story | September 2024 | TV Series | Life dramatized |
The family didn’t ask for any of this. Their trauma is sold as prime-time television.
Avielle’s childhood played out on screen. Actors portrayed her worst memories.
Privacy remains impossible for them completely. The world won’t let them forget.
How She Copes With Public Attention
Thirteen years old means understanding everything now. The internet never forgets.
Classmates know her story before meeting her. Google tells it all.
Dance offers her only real escape. On stage, she’s just herself.
Her sister provides constant emotional support. They protect each other fiercely.
Mom shields them when humanly possible. But some things always slip through.
Therapy likely plays a crucial role. Processing this trauma needs professional help.
She’s building her own identity carefully. More than just “Aaron’s daughter.”
Social media presence stays mostly private. Shayanna controls the narrative.
School probably brings daily challenges too. Stares, whispers, unwanted questions.
But she keeps pushing forward bravely. Strength comes from somewhere deep.
What Her Mother Says Today
Shayanna speaks carefully about absolutely everything. Every word gets analyzed publicly.
She praises Avielle’s strength constantly online. “An inspiration to watch,” she posts.
The resemblance brings comfort sometimes, obviously. Aaron lives through his daughter.
But raising her alone proved incredibly difficult. Single parenting plus media scrutiny.
Financial battles added mountains of stress. Everyone questions her every choice.
She maintains they’re doing perfectly fine. “Stable life” remains the primary goal.
Her Instagram shows genuinely happy moments. Two sisters, one incredibly strong mom.
“Since Aaron’s death, my sole focus has been raising my children,” she stated clearly.
Every decision centers on their well-being. Nothing else matters remotely as much.
FAQs
How old is Avielle Janelle Hernandez be in 2025?
She’s 13 years old, born November 6, 2012.
Who is raising Aaron Hernandez’s daughter?
Her mother, Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, raises her.
Does Avielle Hernandez have siblings?
Yes, she has a younger half-sister named Giselle.
What does Avielle Hernandez do?
She’s a competitive dancer with professional aspirations.
When did Avielle last see her father?
April 2017 at his trial, days before he died.
Is there a trust fund for Avielle?
Yes, established from Aaron’s estate for her care.
Conclusion
Avielle Janelle Hernandez carries an impossibly heavy legacy. But she’s writing her own story now.
Dance gives her purpose and a solid identity. She’s so much more than her father’s past.
At 13, she’s navigating absolutely impossible circumstances. Media attention won’t fade anytime soon.
But with her mom and sister beside her, she’s building something beautiful. Her future belongs to her alone.
Hey, I’m James a celebrity news writer with 10 years of experience bringing you honest and exciting stories.
