Tech tycoon John McAfee 'broke at the time of his death' says author

Tech tycoon John McAfee was broke at the time of his death after blowing his fortune on luxury mansions, his biographer has told the Daily Mail.

The disgraced McAfee was found dead in his Spanish cell in June after the High Court in Spain authorised his extradition to the US.

The 75-year-old's death was subsequently ruled as a suicide although his wife, Janice, does not accept that ruling.

Now Mark Eglinton, who had been working with McAfee on a book, told The Daily Mail that the tycoon couldn't even pay the 'modest fee' the author had asked for to cover costs while he ghost-wrote his autobiography.

And the deal fell through when the former anti-virus magnate requested to pay the book publisher in cryptocurrency but refused to supply an address for the contract to be sent to.

From an estimated peak net worth of over US$100 million, McAfee lost much on "absolutely bizarre properties, some of them he never slept a night in", Eglinton said.

That included a compound in Woodland Park, Colorado.

It was a 10,000 square-foot house, fully furnished with antiques was valued at more than US$25 million but sold at auction for just US$5.72 million.

He also sold other properties at a "tremendous loss" during the Great Recession, the Mail reported, 

In a tweet just a few days before his death, McAfee himself seemed to indicate some financial difficulties, saying "I have nothing."

"The US believes I have hidden crypto. I wish I did but it has dissolved through the many hands of Team McAfee (your belief is not required), and my remaining assets are all seized," he wrote.

At the time of his arrest in October 2020 McAfee tweeted: "If I hang myself, a la Epstein, it will be no fault of mine."

That led to theories claiming that he had been murdered, which was furthered when an image showing just the letter Q - a reference to conspiracy extremists QAnon - was posted to his Instagram account.

McAfee was facing up to 30 years in prison if convicted upon his return to the US.

Where to find help and support: 

  • Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
  • Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
  • Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
  • What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
  • Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
  • Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
  • Samaritans - 0800 726 666
  • Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
  • Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
  • Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584