Is John McAfee Living or Dead?

About John McAfee

John McAfee: The Maverick Tech Entrepreneur Who Lived Life on the Edge

John McAfee, the British-American programmer and businessman, was a man who lived life on the edge. Born on September 18, 1945, in the UK, McAfee was a pioneer in the world of computer security, founding the antivirus software company that bears his name. But he was also a controversial figure, known for his wild lifestyle, run-ins with the law, and outspoken views on everything from drugs to politics.

McAfee's early years were marked by a restless spirit and a thirst for adventure. After studying mathematics at Roanoke College in Virginia, he worked as a programmer for several companies before striking out on his own. In the early 1980s, he founded McAfee Associates, which quickly became one of the leading providers of antivirus software.

But McAfee was not content to rest on his laurels. He was a man of many interests, and his restless spirit led him down many paths. He dabbled in everything from yoga to aerobics to skydiving, and he was known for his love of motorcycles and fast cars. He also had a penchant for exotic pets, including a pack of dogs and a collection of venomous snakes.

McAfee's personal life was as colorful as his professional one. He was married several times and had numerous affairs, and he was open about his use of drugs and his belief in the legalization of marijuana. He also had a number of run-ins with the law, including a highly publicized arrest in Belize in 2012 on suspicion of murder (he was later released).

Despite his controversies, McAfee remained a respected figure in the tech world, and his contributions to computer security were widely recognized. He was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2013, and he continued to work on new projects and startups until his death.

On June 23, 2021, McAfee was found dead in his prison cell in Spain, where he was awaiting extradition to the US on charges of tax evasion. His death was widely mourned by his fans and colleagues, who remembered him as a maverick entrepreneur who lived life on his own terms.

References:

- "John McAfee, Antivirus Software Pioneer, Found Dead in Spanish Prison Cell." The New York Times, June 23, 2021.

- "John McAfee: Tech Pioneer, Outspoken Libertarian... and Murder

About Death

On 12 November 2012, Belize police began to search for McAfee as a person of interest in connection to the homicide investigation of American expatriate Gregory Viant Faull, who was found dead of a gunshot wound the day before, at his home on the island of Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize. Faull was a neighbor of McAfee's. In a contemporary interview with Wired, McAfee said he had been afraid police would kill him and refused their routine questions and evaded them. He buried himself in sand for several hours with a cardboard box over his head. Belize's prime minister, Dean Barrow, called him "extremely paranoid, even bonkers". He fled Belize rather than cooperate.