The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office has officially ruled Ashley “AJ” Jewell’s death a homicide, according to TMZ.com.
The cause of death is listed as, “Physical altercation resulting in sickle cell trait related exertional collapse.” Contributing factors are listed as, “intestinal myocardial fidrosis,” (?) as well as an enlarged heart.
I’ve never heard of “intestinal myocardial fidrosis” I’m sure they meant “myocardial fibrosis” and someone just threw “intestinal” in there because it was a big word.
But it seems that Jewell died from sudden heart failure caused by overexertion due to his pre-existing conditions — an enlarged heart and sickle cell disease.
This is similar to when a football player with an undiagnosed enlarged heart drops dead on a football field.
Jewell died just hours after he was involved in an altercation with Frederick Richardson who co-managed The Body Tap strip club. Richardson was arrested in the days following Jewell’s death. He is currently free on bond.
Jewell appeared in a few episodes on Real Housewives of Atlanta season 2. He was engaged to cast member Kandi Burruss, but the couple ended their engagement in August.