McAfee widow says he was not suicidal, calls for full investigation

The widow of software magnate John McAfee blames U.S. authorities for the death of her husband, claiming he was not suicidal before he was found dead in his Spanish prison cell on Wednesday.

Janice McAfee says she wants a thorough investigation into his death.

“His last words to me were ‘I love you and I will call you in the evening,’ those words are not words of somebody who is suicidal,” she said Friday, according to Reuters.

“I blame the U.S. authorities for this tragedy. Because of these politically motivated charges against him, my husband is now dead,” his wife said.

On Wednesday, McAfee was reportedly found dead in his cell, where he was set to be extradited to the U.S. to face charges that he evaded paying taxes. Reuters reported that authorities called it an apparent suicide and that on Wednesday McAfee’s lawyer, Javier Villalba, said McAfee had died by hanging himself. 

Reuters reported on Friday that Villalba said the family is waiting on official autopsy results and would request another independent autopsy. 

A U.S. Embassy spokesperson told Reuters, “We are closely monitoring local authorities’ investigation into the cause of death, and stand ready to provide all appropriate assistance to the family. Out of respect to the family during this difficult time, we have no further comment.”

In October, McAfee was arrested in Spain after evading U.S. authorities for years.

The Hill has reached out to the Spanish Embassy for comment.