Aaron Hernandez’s alleged victim, Odin Lloyd, remembered as someone with a ‘grin that you couldn’t miss’

By Meghan Irons, Globe Staff

A member of Odin Lloyd’s family recalled the slain 27-year-old as someone with a “grin that you couldn’t miss” as word spread this afternoon that former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez had been charged in the murder.

“I would say to him stay out of trouble, and he would say, ‘Always, auntie,’” said the woman, who is Lloyd’s mother’s cousin. She would not disclose her name.

She said the day was filled with mourning for two families and their sons.

“My cousin lost her son, and she is grieving. But Hernandez’s mom is also grieving. Two lives are lost,” said the woman, who was stopping by the family home on Fayston Street.

Across the street, neighbor Anthony Paul, 25, sat looking at his phone, appearing distraught.

“I saw him every day,” he said. “We were close. Like brothers.” In fact, he said, his mother had married Lloyd’s uncle, making them family.

Shortly afterwards, more than a dozen people blowing whistles and carrying placards marched down Fayston Street.

The marchers were members of Project R.I.G.H.T., a non-profit that works to stem violence. They decided to march by the house in light of what happened.

“What do we want?” the marchers chanted. “Peace!”