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Strip-Club Employee Charged In Atlanta 'Housewife's' Ex-Fiancé Death

Posted: 11:45 pm EDT October 2, 2009Updated: 9:55 am EDT October 4, 2009

Atlanta police have made an arrest in the death of Ashley “A.J.” Jewell, the former fiancé of Atlanta "housewife" Kandi Burruss.


SLIDESHOW: Atlanta Housewife's Fiance' Killed After Strip Club Brawl

Atlanta police told Channel 2 Action News that Jewell received a severe head injury during a fight at The Body Tap Club in the 1200 block of Marietta Boulevard in Atlanta.

"It appears he was involved in an altercation in the parking lot and he received a severe blow to the head," said Atlanta Police Lt. Keith Meadows. Meadows said Jewell was taken to Piedmont Hospital where he later died.

Police said Fredrick Richardson, an employee at the strip club, is charged with voluntary manslaughter and currently being held at Grady Detention in connection with the crime. Authorities said Richardson, who was also injured, will be transported to the Fulton County Jail once he is cleared by medical personnel.

Burruss is the newest cast member of the hit reality show, “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” and is coping with Jewell's tragic death. Jewell also appeared regularly on the show.

Burruss posted a message on her Twitter page Saturday expressing how the incident has left her devastated.

"I could never in a million years imagine this happening. Please pray for A.J.'s children ... that's who i'm the most concerned for. I'm about to give my swollen eyes some rest now. I just wanted to say thanks two everyone for their prayers," said Burruss.

Burruss is asking for privacy during this very difficult time.

Burruss, an award-winning singer-songwriter and former member of the ’90s R&B group Xscape, has had numerous disagreements with her mother on the show regarding her relationship with Jewell.

"Ed and I have grown fond of A.J. and Kandi and we all have become friends. We are very saddened by the news of A.J.'s sudden passing and can't imagine what Kandi is going through," said Atlanta "housewife" Lisa Wu-Hartwell.

Police said they have not determined a motive for the brawl, but the investigation is still under way.

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