New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez has been connected with a murder investigation for over a week and while rumors said that he could be arrested last week, he currently is not in custody and one reason may be due to the fact that he is a famous athlete.

According to USA Today, a legal expert said that since Hernandez is a high profile athletes, authorities may want to ensure themselves they have sufficient evidence before deciding on what to do. Depending on what the authorities find or determine, Hernandez could be cleared of wrong doing or he could be charged with obstruction of justice or something worse in connection with the case. The murder involves an associate named Odin Lloyd, who was found shot to death a mile from the tight end's home.

Police said that the body was killed where it was found and that Lloyd sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The authorities have searched Hernandez's mansion multiple times and the obstruction charges may stem from him destroying his cell phone and home security systems before turning it over to police. On Saturday they were at his home with police dogs for three hours and on Monday they searched a pond and wooded area near his home. The body was found close to the home and some have speculated that it could have been moved, but police have ruled that out.

Police said they found no evidence in the pond and now Hernandez and his attorney are trying to figure out his next move. There have been reports that Hernandez was seen on video the night of the murder with Lloyd, but so far he has not been arrested in connection with the murder. A warrant was prepared, but it has yet to be executed and it could come any day for the tight end. The death has been ruled a homicide and the case have brought up questions about Hernandez's past.

The tight end is being sued for allegedly shooting a friend in Florida and he also was reportedly involved in two separate incidents at nightclubs this year. Hernandez could be in hot water with the NFL depending on how things shake out and he could end up being fined or suspended depending on is he is arrested or charged in the case.