Convicted Bank Robber Who Held Gun to Paula Deen's Head Found Dead

Eugene Thomas King Jr. was convicted for the 1987 armed robbery of the bank where Deen worked as a teller.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Eugene Thomas King Jr., the convicted bank robber who held a gun to celebrity chef Paula Deen's temple during a 1987 robbery, has been found dead in his Brooklyn apartment. The cause of King's death is currently unclear, according to family sources. King largely remained out of the public eye in recent years after apologizing to Deen in a 2013 interview for the fear he caused her during the traumatic incident.

Why it matters

This story revisits a decades-old crime that gained renewed attention in the 2010s when Deen faced backlash for her use of racial language while recounting the traumatic robbery. King's death now closes another chapter on this infamous incident that impacted both him and Deen's lives.

The details

In 1987, Eugene Thomas King Jr. robbed the bank where Paula Deen was working as a teller, holding a gun to her temple during the terrifying encounter. King was later convicted of the crime. Years later, during the fallout over Deen's admission that she used racial language while recounting the traumatic incident, King unexpectedly entered the public conversation, apologizing to Deen in a 2013 interview for the fear he caused her.

  • King was found dead on Thursday inside his Brooklyn apartment.
  • The 1987 armed robbery of the bank where Deen worked as a teller occurred 39 years ago.
  • King apologized to Deen in a 2013 interview, 13 years after the initial incident.

The players

Eugene Thomas King Jr.

The convicted bank robber who held a gun to celebrity chef Paula Deen's temple during a 1987 robbery.

Paula Deen

The celebrity chef who was working as a bank teller when she was held at gunpoint by King during a 1987 robbery.

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What they’re saying

“I'm sorry for the fear I caused her, and I hope she can forgive me.”

— Eugene Thomas King Jr. (Inside Edition)

The takeaway

This tragic story highlights the long-lasting impact that violent crimes can have on both victims and perpetrators, even decades later. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of forgiveness and redemption, as seen in King's belated apology to Deen.