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What happened with John McAfee? Tech tycoon found dead in jail cell, Internet says 'it was murder'

Spain's National Court approved the extradition of antivirus software pioneer John McAfee to the United States, where he is wanted for tax evasion

On Wednesday, June 23, Spain's National Court approved the extradition of antivirus software pioneer John McAfee to the United States where he is wanted for tax evasion. But few hours after this news, it was reported that McAfee was found dead in the Spanish cell.

McAfee, 75, the founder of an antivirus software company, was arrested in October 2020 and was awaiting extradition when he was found dead, police sources revealed. The creator of the McAfee anti-virus software was charged in the US with conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering. He allegedly failed to file tax returns between 2014 and 2018, despite earning millions from consulting work, crypto-currencies and selling the rights to his life story. He was linked to the charges filed by the Internal Revenue Service to his failed bid to run as a Libertarian Party candidate in the 2020 US presidential election, a second such attempt. As per the US extradition request filed in November and quoted in the ruling, McAfee made more than 10 million euros over that period but never filed for tax return. On Wednesday, June 23, it was reported that he was found dead in his prison cell, just before his extradition.

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Soon the news of McAfee's death made its way to social media. Peter McCormack tweeted, "*Breaking* John McAfee found dead in his prison cell, this after Spanish courts agreed to extradite him." Nathan Michaud said, "The Department of Justice has confirmed that the American tycoon John McAfee has been found dead in the cell he occupied in the Brians 2 Penitentiary Center. He was seventy-five years old."

Greg Otto said in a tweet, "Spanish media reporting that John McAfee comitted suicide in a spanish jail cell after he was cleared to be extradited to the U.S." While journalist Kim Zetter tweeted, ""The founder of McAfee antivirus, John McAfee, was found dead this afternoon in his cell in Brians 2 prison (Barcelona), according to police sources. The Mossos are investigating what happened, and everything points to a suicide, as reported by the Department of Justice.""

One person said, "Very sad to hear of John McAfee's @officialmcafee murder. I hope the kill switch document releases he spoke about in the past is real." While one said, "John McAfee dies by suicide in prison below! Let’s get this right, it was murder, they use the same script every time. #wakeup #McAfee #murder."

McAfee had a lavish lifestyle with around nine houses and a fleet of planes before the 2009 financial crisis when he was hit hard. Reports reveal that he liquidated much of his assets and moved to Belize where he became more unhinged, touting conspiracy theories and ultimately going into hiding. He was named a person of interest in the death of his neighbor. He was also arrested in Guatemala for entering the country illegally and later deported to Miami. He told ABC in 2017 that he was convinced he had been followed for the past four years.