The death of Aaron Hernandez has been officially ruled a suicide. Authorities say investigators found three handwritten notes next to a Bible inside the maximum-security prison cell where Hernandez was found hanging early Wednesday. There were also no signs of a struggle and he blocked access to his cell from the inside by jamming cardboard into the door tracks.

Authorities say Hernandez's brain is being turned over to university researchers now that they've ruled his death in prison a suicide.

Officials say the brain will be released to Boston University's Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center in accordance with the wishes of Hernandez's family.