Computer security industry pioneer John McAfee says he has gone into hiding in Belize because he believes the authorities are trying to frame him for the murder of a neighbour, a crime he says he did not commit, according to Wired magazine.
Belize police said on Monday they were searching for Mr McAfee (67) as “a person of interest” in a murder investigation.
“You can say I’m paranoid about it, but they will kill me, there is no question. They’ve been trying to get me for months. They want to silence me,” the magazine quoted Mr McAfee as saying on its website. “I am not well liked by the prime minister. I am just a thorn in everybody’s side.”
The magazine reported that Mr McAfee contacted one of its reporters by phone after his neighbour, Gregory Viant Faull (52), was found dead on Sunday in a pool of blood, apparently shot in the head.
McAfee, who amassed a fortune by building the anti-virus company that bears his name, has homes and businesses in the Central American country where he has lived since 2008, according to Wired.
In May, police raided his premises after he was accused of holding firearms, although most were found to be licensed. – (Reuters)