He was supposed to be extradited to the USA. Antivirus pioneer John McAfee († 75) has now been found dead in his prison cell in Spain. He “apparently committed suicide”, said a spokeswoman for the judiciary in the Catalonia region on Wednesday. Shortly before, a court had ordered the extradition of the well-known company founder to the United States, where he was accused of tax evasion.
The 75-year-old was arrested at Barcelona airport in October. According to the US authorities’ indictment, McAfee did not file tax returns for the years 2014 to 2018, despite having had significant income from several areas. This included various consulting activities, lectures and the sale of the TV rights for a documentary about his life.
According to the US extradition request, he is said to have earned the equivalent of more than ten million euros in these four years, but never filed a tax return. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison. The extradition decision of the Spanish court could still have been challenged. In addition, the Spanish cabinet should have agreed.
The cause of death has not yet been determined beyond doubt, it said. An autopsy should bring certainty. McAfee faces years of imprisonment and heavy fines if convicted in the United States.
Wanted to be US President
McAfee was one of the founders of the antivirus industry. In the 1980s he founded the software company named after him, McAfee, from which he retired in the 1990s. In 2010, McAfee was taken over by Intel. The company name has been changed to Intel Security. However, some products still bear the McAfee name.
In 2012, John McAfee made headlines around the world when he was wanted after the murder of his neighbor in Belize. After an adventurous escape through the jungle, he returned to the USA and has meanwhile also registered as a candidate for the 2016 presidential election. (SDA / AFP / jmh)
These offices are there around the clock for people in suicidal crises and for those around them:
Addresses for people who have lost someone to suicide
Published: 23.06.2021, 10:02 p.m.
Last updated: 23.06.2021, 5 minutes ago