Eugene Thomas King, Jr. has passed away. He was found unconscious in his Brooklyn apartment by police. The emergency services then pronounced him dead on Thursday, Feb. 26. He reportedly died of natural causes at the age of 75.
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For those of you who don't remember Eugene, he rose to infamy in the late 80s, having held a gun to Paula Deen's head during a bank robbery in 1987.
Deen was working as a bank teller at the time of the robbery. She claims that Eugene pushed the barrel of his gun into her temple during the encounter. He was later convicted.
Years later, when recalling the incident, Deen used a racial slur, effectively getting her canceled. The interest surrounding her choice of words brought Eugene back into the public eye.
"I really feel for her," Eugene told Inside Edition during an interview. "She's being persecuted because of that one little mistake in her judgment. She was acting out of anger."
According to TMZ, Eugene died of cardiovascular disease.
"Eugene Thomas King Jr. died from hypertensive and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the New York City Medical Examiner's Officer tells us."
Eugene Thomas King Jr. Issued a Public Apology to Paula Deen
When speaking with Inside Edition in June, 2013, Eugene issued a public apology to Deen.
"I regret that I pointed a gun at her," Eugene said. "I wish there was a way to take it back...Please tell her I'm sorry, but I never intended to hurt anyone."
Inside Edition also noted that Eugene blamed himself for the situation Deen found herself in, following her use of a racial slur.
"When we spoke to him, he actually broke down in tears. He blames himself for Paula Deen's troubles."
Outside of his reintroduction to the public in 2013, Eugene lived his life outside of the public eye. He was sentenced to a 25-year prison sentence for his armed robbery of the bank where Deen worked, along with another robbery around the same time.
No details regarding Eugene's impending funeral or service have been released. They will likely remain private, only for family and close friends.
