Who Was Richard Jewell & What Was His Connection to the Atlanta Olympics Bombing?

Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of bombing and death. Reader discretion is advised.

In July 1996, a 40-pound pipe bomb explosion at the Centennial Olympic Park killed one woman and injured more than 100. The explosion took place in the middle of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Several outlets reported that a security guard named Richard Jewell found a suspicious backpack at the park and decided to evacuate the place. Although Jewell saved many lives, he quickly became one of the suspects. After an investigation took place, Jewell gained negative media traction.

According to The New York Times, Jewell found an abandoned backpack at the Centennial Olympic Park. With the help of authorities, he evacuated close to 100 people from the area. However, a few minutes later, the bomb exploded and killed one woman. Another person died from a heart attack right after the explosion. At the time, Jewell said in an interview that he wanted to save everyone but sadly couldn’t. He said, “The only thing I wish we could have done is got everybody out of the area.” However, a report by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution stated that Jewell might be a person of interest in the bombing. 

As a result, authorities raided Richard Jewell’s house and searched his home thoroughly. The New York Times mentioned that he wasn’t allowed to go outside and remained inside his house. Later, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted people who knew Jewell. According to the acquaintances, Jewell had a backpack similar to the one discovered at the crime scene. On the other hand, certain officials at Jewell’s workplace noted that the prime suspect looked “overly zealous” on the day of the explosion. In the meantime, authorities continued their investigation against Richard Jewell.

What happened to Richard Jewell & who was the Atlanta Olympics bomber?

For three months, police investigated Richard Jewell’s connection with the Atlanta Olympics bombing. However, they couldn’t find any evidence against him. In October 1996, the Justice Department eventually announced that Jewell was no longer a person of interest.

Citing the letter, The New York Times stated that “barring any newly discovered evidence, this status will not change.” Moreover, the Justice Department expressed their regret that the investigation became publicized. “The public should bear in mind that Richard Jewell has at no time been charged with any crime in connection with the bombing, and the property that was seized pursuant to court-authorized search warrants has been returned,” the letter mentioned.

Almost two years after the bombing, authorities announced a man named Eric Rudolph as the prime suspect in the Atlanta Olympics bombing. CNN reported that police named him as a suspect in a bombing that occurred in Alabama. In 2003, the authorities apprehended Eric Rudolph from North Carolina and indicted him on multiple charges. Two years later, he pleaded guilty to multiple bombings in several cities, including the Olympic Park bombing.

In August 2005, Eric Rudolph received four consecutive life sentences for the bombings. On the other hand, Richard Jewell died at the age of 44 due to natural causes in 2007. NBC News cited the autopsy and stated that he “essentially” had a heart attack. 

In 2019, a movie titled Richard Jewell, which was based on the Olympic Park bombing investigation, was released in theatres. Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film starred Paul Walter Hauser as Richard Jewell and Kathy Bates as his mother, Bobi Jewell. Notably, Bates received a nomination at the Academy Awards in the Supporting Actor (Female) category. The movie is available to stream on MAX and Prime Video.