As seen in Manhunt, he was thought to have committed the crime because he fitted the police’s profile of a “lone gunman”—he lived with his mother Bobi, and had previously been fired from law enforcement for being overzealous. A theory emerged that he had set off the bomb so that he would be seen as a hero when he saved people from the blast.
Jewell would eventually be cleared as a suspect in October 1996, 88 days after the bombing had been committed. However, by that point a lot of damage to his reputation had been done. At some point in the investigation, his name was leaked to the press, leading to the innocent many being hounded in a trial by jury.
Just over 10 years after the events of 1996, Jewell would be dead, dying of a heart attack thought to be related to a complication from his diabetes on August 29, 2007.
However, questions have been raised over what part the events of a decade previously had to play in his death. In a number of interviews following the release of the film Richard Jewell, in fact, his mother Bobi has said that his health significantly suffered after his ordeal in 1996.
In an ABC News interview, for example, Bobi said: “He was worn, torn, and tattered. He really was. I think it killed him. I really do.”
Bob is still alive, meanwhile, and is now in her mid-80s. In the lead-up to Richard Jewell coming out, actor Kathy Bates (who played Bobi in the movie) told the Chicago Tribune about spending time with her. “Even after all these years, it’s still really raw for her and she teared up quite a few times as she told me some anecdotes,” the Oscar-winning actor said. “How they were supported by their church but prevented from seeing them and how Richard was prevented from going to visit a friend when he was dying. It was just devastating.”
By all accounts, Bobi was quite involved in the making of the movie, which filmed at the same time as Manhunt: Deadly Games. Paul Walter Hauser, who played Richard in the movie said of her role in a Hollywood Reporter interview: “What was really cute was Bobi Jewell brought treats. She made homemade treats and brought them to the craft service table, which I thought was adorable.”
In contrast, actor Judith Light decided not to meet Bobi before she played her in Manhunt. Speaking to CBS, she said of this: “As long ago as this was, I’m sure that there are still feelings and sorrow. I feel most importantly that I’d be respectful.”
Manhunt: Deadly Games airs on Mondays at 9 p.m. on CBS.
