Eugene Thomas King Jr., Who Held Gun to Paula Deen's Head, Found Dead

The convicted bank robber who terrorized the celebrity chef in 1987 has died in New York City.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Eugene Thomas King Jr., the convicted bank robber who held a gun to celebrity chef Paula Deen's head during a 1987 robbery, has been found dead in his Brooklyn apartment. The cause of death is currently unclear, and authorities are investigating.

Why it matters

The 1987 robbery was a traumatic incident for Deen, who has spoken publicly about the fear she experienced. King's death brings a close to a decades-old crime that resurfaced in the public eye during the fallout over Deen's admission of using racial language while recounting the event.

The details

According to reports, the NYPD responded to a 911 call on Thursday and found King unconscious in his Brooklyn apartment. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is investigating the cause of death.

  • King was found dead on Thursday, March 1, 2026.
  • The 1987 robbery of Paula Deen occurred decades ago.

The players

Eugene Thomas King Jr.

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

Paula Deen

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

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Please tell her I'm sorry, but I never intended to hurt anyone.”

— Eugene Thomas King Jr. (1987 police statement)

The takeaway

This case highlights the long-lasting impact of violent crimes, even decades later, and the importance of addressing trauma and seeking redemption.