John McAfee

John McAfee was a British-American computer programmer, businessman, and cybersecurity entrepreneur best known for founding McAfee Associates and helping popularize commercial antivirus software.

John McAfee was a British-American computer programmer, businessman, and cybersecurity entrepreneur best known for founding McAfee Associates and helping popularize commercial antivirus software. He later became a controversial public figure, ran for the U.S. presidency twice as a Libertarian, and was found dead in a Spanish prison cell in 2021 while awaiting extradition to the United States.

Early life and career

John David McAfee was born on 18 September 1945. He worked as a computer programmer and businessman, and is widely known for creating one of the first commercial antivirus software businesses, McAfee Associates.

Belize and flight from authorities

McAfee moved to Belize in 2008 after major financial losses during the 2008 economic downturn. In 2012, police in Belize investigated him in connection with the killing of his neighbour, Gregory Faull. He fled Belize for Guatemala and was later arrested there before returning to the United States in 2013. McAfee described himself as fleeing corrupt authorities.

Later years and legal trouble

After returning to the United States, McAfee remained a prominent and often controversial public figure. He ran for the U.S. presidency as a Libertarian in 2016 and again in 2020. Spanish authorities arrested him in 2020 on U.S. tax-related charges while he was abroad. He faced extradition proceedings related to tax evasion and cryptocurrency promotion.

Death and legacy

McAfee was found dead in a prison cell near Barcelona on 23 June 2021 after a court approved his extradition to the United States. Authorities said it appeared to be suicide by hanging. His death drew continued speculation and attention because of his long history of public claims and legal disputes.