Richard Jewell Dies

This news is just breaking, I will update when I get further information.

Richard Jewell, the man once suspected of being the Olympic Park bomber and then cleared of the attack, is dead.

wsbtv.com has confirmed Jewell died Wednesday morning, according to the Meriwether County coroner.

On July 27, 1996, the night of the bombing at Centennial Olympic Park, Jewell spotted the pipe bomb in a backpack and alert police. He was initially hailed as a hero, but was later named as a suspect by police.

Here is more information from the AJC:

Richard Jewell, the Centennial Olympic Park security guard once suspected — but later cleared — in the bombing of the park during the 1996 Summer Games, was found dead Wednesday in his home in Meriwether County. He was 44.

County coroner Johnny Worley said Jewell's wife discovered him dead in their Woodbury home at about 10:30 a.m., and he was pronounced dead by Worley about 45 minutes later.

Worley said an autopsy would be performed by the GBI to determine how Jewell died, but added there was "no suspicion of foul play.

"He had been having some pretty serious medical problems," Worley said.

He said Jewell had been diagnosed with diabetes in February and had a couple of toes amputated.

"He had been going downhill ever since," Worley said.

Rest In Peace, Richard.