John McAfee, a cryptocurrency pioneer and founder of popular antivirus software McAfee, has reportedly been found dead in his Spanish prison cell, multiple sources confirmed Wednesday. Earlier studies suggested the 75-year-old had committed suicide, with efforts to revive him proving abortive.
McAfee had been in the custody of Spanish authorities since October last year when the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) ordered his arrest over alleged charges of tax evasion.
“From 2014 to 2018, McAfee allegedly failed to file tax returns, despite receiving considerable income from these sources,” the U.S. Justice Department said in October, alluding to income he had earned from promoting cryptocurrencies, getting paid speaking engagements, and selling the rights to his life story.
Earlier this week, Spanish authorities approved McAfee’s extradition to the U.S. where the charges would be resolved, although McAfee claimed during hearings that the charges against him were politically motivated.
He was awaiting his move back to the U.S. before news broke that he had committed suicide in his cell at Brians 2 prison in Sant Esteve de Sesrovires, Barcelona. In one of his last tweets on June 16, McAfee claimed the U.S. government was accusing him of hiding his crypto holdings.
The US believes I have hidden crypto. I wish I did but it has dissolved through the many hands of Team McAfee (your belief is not required) and my remaining assets are all seized. My friends evaporated through fear of association.
I have nothing.
Yet, I regret nothing.
— John McAfee (@officialmcafee) June 16, 2021
McAfee has always been a vocal supporter of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, often touting their potential to be a revolutionary technology. At the same time, he has come under scrutiny by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for failing to disclose payments that he received to promote certain crypto projects.
The news around McAfee’s suicide is still a developing story…
