Update: Late Sunday evening, Kandi Burruss formally spoke on the death of her ex-fiance Ashley “A.J” Jewell in a statement released through her publicist:
“I am devastated by the loss of AJ. His death comes on the heels of the death of my beloved Uncle Ralph and with both of them gone, my heart is heavy with grief.”
The Grammy Award-winning songwriter said that she spoke with AJ just two hours before she got the phone call that he was in the hospital. She added, “Never in a thousand years did I think it was going to be the last time I heard his voice. He was taken way too soon. There are so many things that I should have said to him, wanted to say to him…but now it’s too late.”
Jewell,34, was killed late Friday night after a brawl outside The Body Tap, a popular Atlanta strip club that he co-owned. According to the Atlanta Constitution Journal, Frederick Richardson has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the beating death of Jewell. It is reported that Richardson was an employee at club.
Burruss posted on her Twitter page early Saturday morning:
“im just in one of those moods where i dont wanna talk, i dont wanna b held & told its gonna b ok. i just wanna cry myself 2 sleep, alone.”
“I could never n a million years imagine this happening. please pray for AJ’s children. that’s who im the most concerned 4.”
“im bout 2 giv my swollen eyes sum rest now. i just wanted to say thanks 2 every1 for their prayers. i gotta get up & go 2 my uncle’s funeral.”
Kandi is the newest cast member of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” and Jewell appeared on several episodes, often times coming into conflict with Kandi’s mother who disapproved of the relationship. It is reported that the couple split late August but “remained friends and were working on their issues”. Kandi recently spoke to Essence.com about becoming the legal guardian of Jewell’s 12-year-old twin daughters. Along with the twins, Jewell is survived by four other children.
The former Xscape lead singer concluded her statement by saying:
“I know this is cliché’ but I urge everyone to treat each day as if it’s your last and tell that special someone you love them today. Don’t wait. It may be too late.”
No information on Jewell’s funeral services were released.
[ Story Source]
You just never know when it’s you or your loved one’s time to go. Stop the violence.
Article by FreshXpress Staff
theFreshXpress.com is a collection of free thinkers and individuals that have come together to give voice to a nation of young African Americans. It is our mission to provide fresh thought, fresh perspectives, and fresh debate on issues relevant to the African American community.
FreshXpress has written 238 article(s) for us.
Senor_H_El_Jefe (24)
bitter black dude (15)
Abdul Wilson (12)
JG* RunsTheKitchen (12)
the uppity negro (12)
J Mark (11)
Idu Charles (10)
true2me (9)
E. Reed (7)
R0cktheMike (6)
Yvonne (6)
Ashleigh L. A. (5)
blackchild (5)
Garfield (5)
Diggame (4)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This is just so unbelievably sad. Kandi must be devastated!!
Is it too soon to ask why he was out at a strip club anyway? I wonder if Kandi knew where he was….if not, that’s a HORRIBLE way to find out.
@Alissa,
Apparently he was hosting a party there (he’s a club promoter) and was in talks to buy the establishment from the current owner. Technically, they broke their engagement off early to mid this year, like May or June so I don’t think him being @ the strip club is a n issue. But overall, this is a sad situation.She obviously had a tremendous amount of love for him as she is the legal guardian of two of his kids. Only God knows what was supposed to happen. All of this senseless killing has to stop!
@Alissa, “Jewell,34, was killed late Friday night after a brawl outside The Body Tap, a popular Atlanta strip club that he co-owned. ” If he owned the club she was probably aware that he’s been there a time or two.Not to mention that he was no longer engaged!That really has little to do with the story. Why try to throw salt on Kandi and his family’s wound?