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Gloucestershire Business News

John McAfee: famous son of the Forest of Dean found dead

A famous son of the Forest and computer genius John McAfee has been found dead in his prison cell in Spain.

The Cinderford-born entrepreneur and creator of the McAfee anti-virus software came to prominence in the 1980s. He was due to face extradition to the United States on charges of tax evasion.

He was born on a US airbase in 1945 to an American father who was stationed there and a British mother. He was raised mainly in Virginia, USA.

Graham Morgan, Cinderford county councillor and town council vice-chairman, said: "I was amazed to learn that he was born in Cinderford. He achieved a great deal. I even have his software on my computer.

"The Forest has a great history of engineering and innovation and he's very much in that tradition."

The 75-year-old McAfee was arrested last October. He was accused of failing to file tax records for four years despite earning millions.

His company released the first commercial anti-virus software and was eventually sold for more than £4.5 billion.

A spokesman for McAfee told Punchline: "Although John McAfee founded the company, he has not been associated with our company in any capacity for over 25 years. That said, our thoughts go to his family and those close to him."

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