“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” is still airing season 2 and in upcoming episodes we’ll see housewife Kandi Buress continue to plan her wedding to fiancée AJ Jewell. Sadly, we’ve come to find out the fate of their relationship after reports that Jewell was killed outside a club and that he and Kandi were no longer engaged.
Ashley “AJ” Jewell died Friday night after a fight outside an Atlanta strip club and police said they had charged a man in his death. “It appears he was involved in an altercation in the parking lot and he received a severe blow to the head,” Atlanta Police Lt. Keith Meadows told reporters.
Fredrick Richardson was charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of Jewell, who died from massive head injuries after the fight in the parking lot of the Body Tap Club. In a September interview with Essence.com, Burruss revealed that Jewell had recently bought into a strip club, but it was unclear if Body Tap is the same venue.
Burruss, a Grammy award-winning songwriter who penned TLC’s hit “No Scrubs,” posted a message on her Twitter account early Saturday. “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,” wrote the 33-year-old Burruss, who was also was a member of 1990s R&B group Xscape. “I could never n a million years imagine this happening. please pray for AJ’s children.”
Bravo released the following statement: “Our thoughts are with Kandi and A.J.’s family during this tragic time.” Meanwhile, a rep for Burruss states that she and Jewell “were engaged to be married. Kandi is devastated as she is also mourning the death of her uncle, Ralph Leslie, and is attending his funeral today. She has no [further] statement to make at this time and asks for privacy.”
Burruss, 33, the newest cast member of the Atlanta Housewives, and Jewell were engaged in January, just a few weeks before the Bravo reality show about five Atlanta area women living fabulous lifestyles would begin filming season two in late February. Kandi’s engagement to Jewell had been a point of contention between her and her mother, who objected to her daughter marrying a man with six children from four different women. Jewell also drew on-camera criticism from other Housewives cast members for seeming less than engaged at a group gathering when he appeared to spend more time texting on his phone than interacting with other guests.
Burruss replaced cast member DeShawn Snow from season one. The first of 13 episodes of the Real Housewives of Atlanta aired July 30 and filming was under way for a two-part reunion series slated to air on October 29 and Nov. 5. With three more episodes of the season remaining, Jewell, who has appeared on camera several times, will likely be seen again, even after viewers know he has died.
Kim Zolciak, a fellow “Housewives” castmate, said in a phone interview from California Saturday morning how “disgusted” she was that someone could take a life like this. “My heart and prayers are with Kandi, A.J.’s children and family,” she said. “I can’t imagine the loss they’re feeling. I’ll be there for my dear friend Kandi.” Zolciak added that “I adored A.J. He will definitely be missed.” Zolciak said she’s not sure how this is going to impact the reunion shows, which are set to tape Wednesday.
Lisa Wu Hartwell, another “Housewives” castmate, was the only person who knew Burruss personally before this season began taping. “I’m still in shock,” she wrote in an e-mail Saturday. Her husband “Ed used to talk to A.J. often and we’ve grown fond of him. I was deeply saddened to hear what happened to A.J. A.J. was a nice guy and he will be missed.”
11 responses so far ↓
1 twitter tips | twitter-abc.com // Oct 4, 2009 at 9:25 am
[...] Originally posted here: “Real Housewives of Atlanta” Star Kandi Burruss Ex-Fiancée AJ Jewell Killed; Arrest Made in Bea… [...]
2 “Real Housewives of Atlanta” Star Kandi Burruss Ex-Fiancée AJ Jewell Killed; Arrest Made in Beating Death; Housewives React | Economic Wedding Info Blog // Oct 4, 2009 at 11:24 am
[...] View original here: “Real Housewives of Atlanta” Star Kandi Burruss Ex-Fiancée AJ Jewell Killed; Arrest Made in Bea… [...]
3 Patricia Brooks // Oct 4, 2009 at 11:33 am
that soo said im praying for Kandi and A.J in my but it life and you have to move on he will alway be in you heart
4 IN REMEMBRANCE: 10-4-2009 | Gadget Look // Oct 4, 2009 at 8:20 pm
[...] Ashley “AJ” Jewell died Friday night after a fight outside an Atlanta strip club and police said they had charged a man in his death. “It appears he was involved in an altercatiRead more at http://famespy.com/2009/10/04/real-housewives-of-atlanta-star-kandi-burruss-ex-fiancee-aj-jewell-kil... [...]
5 ed hartwell | U.S Trend Keywords // Oct 8, 2009 at 9:18 pm
[...] “Real Housewives of Atlanta” Star Kandi Burruss Ex-Fianc?e AJ Jewell Killed; Arrest Made in Beat…“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” is still airing season 2 and in upcoming episodes we’ll see housewife Kandi Buress continue to plan her wedding to fianc?e AJ Jewell. Sadly, we’ve come to fin [...]
6 Carly // Oct 10, 2009 at 6:18 pm
I watch Real Housewives of Atlanta all the time in Jamaica, I was really hoping that Kandi’s mother would have accepted AJ, ad now this. She has really lost both ways, a potentatially great and happy relationship and the person to share it with. But who can control destinay? no one
7 diane // Oct 12, 2009 at 7:02 pm
My heart goes out to Kandi, and A.J. ’s family. I am not sure what Kandi’s mom is thinking right now, grief or relief. She didn’t appear to care for AJ as a person at all., more than the fact that he had kids. I wonder how this will affect her and Kandi’s relationship?
8 “Real Housewives of Atlanta” Star Kandi Burruss Ex-FiancéE Aj … « Wilson's Blog // Oct 20, 2009 at 8:55 pm
[...] kandi. aj Ashley “ AJ ” Jewell died Friday night after a fight outside an Atlanta strip club and police said they had charged a man in his death. “It appears he was involved in an altercation in the parking lot and he received a severe …Continue [...]
9 “Real Housewives of Atlanta” Star Kandi Burruss Ex- FiancéE Aj … « What's Happening? // Oct 28, 2009 at 7:02 am
[...] “Real Housewives of Atlanta” Star Kandi Burruss Ex- Fiancée AJ Jewell Killed; Arrest Made in Beating Death; Housewives React. October 4th, 2009 · No Comments. kandi aj. “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” is still airing season 2 and in … kandi .aj Ashley “AJ” Jewell died Friday night after a fight outside an Atlanta strip club and police said they had charged a man in his death. “It appears he was involved in an altercation in the parking lot and he received a severe blow …Read More [...]
10 Terry Ellis // Nov 4, 2009 at 10:00 am
I was deeply saddened to hear what happened to A.J. “My heart and prayers are with Kandi, A.J.’s children and family,” I can’t imagine the loss they’re feeling. I have been thinking about you and your family, may god bless you. I think you are a really nice person and you have a real big heart.
11 Monica Grant // Nov 12, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Hi Kandi,
I am a true fan who watches The Real Houewives of Atlanta faithfully. I’m sure by now you’re tired of reading and respounding to the untimely mishap that we all face at one point or another. I too have mourned the death of my child’s father. The healing process is a long one but in time your heart will mend. GOD will forever be the answer even when we don’t understand. I admire your strength.
May GOD BLESS
P.S. I hope this finds you “Well”!!!!
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