Prison Cell Letters NOT for Gay Lover

... Attorney Insists

Letters were found inside Aaron Hernandez's cell when his body was found, but none of them were written to a gay lover.

Hernandez's lawyer, Jose Baez, tells TMZ Sports, "Rumors of letters to a gay lover, in or out of prison, are false. These are malicious leaks used to tarnish somebody who is dead."

The D.A. announced Friday 3 letters were next to Hernandez's Bible, and that's when the rumors began.

Baez said he is not prepared to say whether Hernandez's death was a suicide or foul play. He says, "There is still plenty we are investigating."