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Source: Pats' TE Hernandez directly tied to homicide investigation

(MyFoxBoston.com) -- Patriots' TE Aaron Hernandez drove his SUV to Gillette Stadium before taking a trip past the FOX 25 studio in Dedham Thursday as investigators continued to look for clues in the death of one of his 27-year-old associates.

Police confirmed Wednesday that the body of Odin Lloyd, of Dorchester, was found in an industrial park less than a mile from Hernandez's home in North Attleboro. Lloyd's death has been deemed a homicide.

Thursday morning Hernandez left his home in a white Audi SUV at about 11 a.m., drove to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, parked in the player's lot and entered the facility. Just after noon he left the building, drove to a Gulf gas station and fueled his car up.

FOX 25's Ted Daniel approached Hernandez at the gas station and described their interaction as "all business." Hernandez who often speaks to the media at his locker had nothing to say.

From the gas station Hernandez drove to Dedham, passing the FOX 25 studio. He drove through Jamaica Plain into Boston and into a parking garage at the Prudential Center where he was seen meeting with a group of people believed to be attorneys at the prestigious law firm Ropes & Gray.

A meeting with lawyers appears to indicate Hernandez may have some planning to do.

Since the investigation began Monday, Hernandez has tried to keep a fairly low profile. His mother has been visiting from Conn. and a woman believed to be his girlfriend has come and gone.

For the fourth day, investigators returned to the North Attleboro industrial park off John Dietch Boulevard where Lloyd's body was found and appeared to be digging through a large pile of dirt presumably searching for evidence.

Sources tell FOX 25 Hernandez has been directly tied to the homicide investigation which is why authorities executed a search warrant at his home Tuesday night.

Hernandez has a 7 year - $41 million contract with the New England Patriots, but it could all be in jeopardy.

On Wednesday, a source told FOX 25 Hernandez, Lloyd, and two other men were at a bar in Boston the night of the homicide, and at some point, the four men left together in a car driven by Hernandez which was confirmed by a text Lloyd sent another friend.

It is unclear where the car went or what happened during the ride, but according to the source only three men returned to Hernandez's home at the end of the night and Lloyd was not one of them.

The source also says forensic evidence places a vehicle driven by Hernandez at one of the crime scenes in this case.

Wednesday morning troopers returned to Hernandez's $1.3 million home, but no one answered. Hernandez returned home during the early afternoon Wednesday, wearing a Patriots sweatshirt and a red hat and carrying what looked like a sports drink. He did not speak to a crowd of reporters staked out about 100 feet away.

Later Wednesday, at least seven state troopers searched both sides of a road just off the street where Hernandez lives. The troopers also searched the industrial park where the body was found and within the Westwood Estates development. The officers used thin poles to pull back plants and search through undergrowth along the road.

Among other items, police said they are searching for a silver mirror cover which is believed to have been broken off a vehicle and may be visible along a route of travel between Dorchester and North Attleboro.

Police have also issued a "BOLO" or "be on the lookout" for a silver Chrysler 300 rental car with Rhode Island registration which may have a connection to the homicide.

Hernandez was initially linked to the case after an Enterprise rental car rented in Hernandez's name emerged as a key piece of evidence in the investigation.

Sports Illustrated reported Tuesday Hernandez had been questioned by authorities in connection with a death investigation.

Hernandez is represented by the Athletes First agency, which said it has no comment "on the Aaron Hernandez situation."

Hernandez, a University of Florida Graduate and native of Bristol, Conn., was drafted by the Patriots in 2010. He had five touchdowns for the Pats during the 2012 season.

If you have any information, please contact North Attleboro Police at (508) 695-1212 or Massachusetts State Police tip line at 1-866-SOLVE-07 (765-8307).