What Killed A.J. Jewell? Atlanta "Housewife" Kandi Burruss Ex May be Exhumed

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

(AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, File)

Photo: Kandi Burruss.

ATLANTA (CBS) Was it murder, or sickle-cell anemia that caused the death of "A.J." Jewel, the on-again-off-again fianc? of "Real Housewives of Atlanta" cast member Kandi Burruss?

PICTURES: "Real Housewives," Real Trouble

A preliminary report on Jewell's autopsy is labeling the death a "homicide," saying it was the fight Ashley "A.J." Jewel had in the parking lot of a strip club that caused his rare sickle-cell anemia condition to be fatal.

Still, the complicated findings have Jewell's family upset, and the Fulton County, Ga. District Attorney says he has tentatively agreed to an exhumation of Jewell's body to confirm he was actually killed by the rare sickle cell trait.

Jewell died Oct. 2 after a fight with Frederick Richardson in a strip club parking lot. The family has criticized the release on bond of Richardson, who is charged with voluntary manslaughter.

PICTURES: "Real Housewives," Real Trouble

According to the Atlanta Constitution Journal the report said: "Although Mr. Jewell died of complications of his underlying natural disease conditions, [the] complications would not have occurred if he had not experienced the extreme exertion that was part of the physical altercation. Due to the active involvement of another person, the manner of death is classified as a homicide."

Fulton District Attorney Paul Howard told the Atlanta Journal Constitution in an e-mail Friday that the exhumation of Jewell's body would be for a second autopsy to confirm he was killed by a rare sickle cell trait.

"Although the medical examiner's report released to us yesterday does classify my son's death as homicide, the report is contradictory because it simultaneously blames a 'sickle cell crisis'," said Jewell's father, the Rev. A.B. Jewell, Sr.

The attorney for Frederick Richardson told the Web site TMZ, "It's an unfortunate situation; Frederick is sorry this situation happened and that A.J. died."

Reporting Contributed by BET.com

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PICTURES: "Real Housewives," Real Trouble

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
October 9, 2009 - New Video of "Housewife" Kandi Burruss and Fiance Ashley "A.J." Jewell Before His Tragic Death
October 6, 2009 - Kandi Burruss Fiance Ashley "A.J." Jewell May Have Fought and Died Over "Respect"
October 5, 2009 - Photos: "Real Housewives," Real Trouble
October 5, 2009 - Ashley Jewell Death: Arrest Made in "Housewives" Strip Club Tragedy
October 5, 2009 - Ashley Jewell Death: Atlanta "Housewife" Kandi Burruss "Devastated"

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by Resin-Smoker November 25, 2009 6:26 AM EST: By the look of the photo, i'd say she was dead long before she got into a fight at a strip bar.

by MPHgrad November 24, 2009 11:18 AM EST "He was a grown man fighting outside of a strip club."

by Phxfire November 24, 2009 2:41 PM EST "They just lost their son"

LOL, Yeah "she" does look like a Transvestite.; Reply to this comment


by stillunbanable November 24, 2009 1:13 PM EST: That is one ugly woman.; Reply to this comment


by ABM_21 November 24, 2009 11:43 AM EST: Families are always upset and/or confused after the death of a loved one. This family needs to get over it and work on caring for his six children now left fatherless by their dad's idiocy. He was a grown man fighting outside of a strip club. Moron should have been thinking of his six children then and walked away & lived another day. No, he decided to be the dummy and now their are six more children in the world without a father
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This is about the DUMBEST statement I've ever read! The family needs to 'get over it'? Let me ask you a question: do you have children (I hope not)? If you got murdered, I want your family to just 'get over it'. That type of callous insensitivity is not what is needed at this time, and if you had a modicum of humanity in you, you wouldn't have the audacity to write such a vile comment.; Reply to this comment

by MPHgrad November 24, 2009 11:18 AM EST

Families are always upset and/or confused after the death of a loved one. This family needs to get over it and work on caring for his six children now left fatherless by their dad's idiocy. He was a grown man fighting outside of a strip club. Moron should have been thinking of his six children then and walked away & lived another day. No, he decided to be the dummy and now their are six more children in the world without a father.

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by Phxfire November 24, 2009 2:41 PM EST: People with hearts and who care for their children don't just get over it, it stays with you the rest of YOUR life. They may need to eventually 'move on' and try to live a meaninful and peaceful ife, but they never, never feel the same. They just lost their son, they haven't even had time to even accept it in their hearts. Whatever you and others would wish for your families, they will want some answers to explain, if possible, why they lost their child.