The autopsy result is in, and it confirms Ashley A.J. Jewel, former fiance of Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Kandi Burruss, died from a rare trait of sickle cell anemia that became fatal because of a fight he had back in October.

AJ’s death is still however being ruled as a homicide based on a report from the Fulton County medical examiner given to AJC.  “Although Mr. Jewell died of complications of his underlying natural disease conditions, [the] complications would not have occurred if he had not experienced the extreme exertion that was part of the physical altercation,” the report said. “Due to the active involvement of another person, the manner of death is classified as a homicide.”

Initially, it was believed Jewell, 35, died of blunt force trauma to the head. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office later said AJ most likely died from sickle cell, a condition he did not know he had.

Frederick Richardson has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of AJ. He is currently free on bond.

Preliminary autopsy results of the Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Ashley “A.J.” Jewell are in, and it includes a surprise finding.

E! News is reporting that Dr. Kelly Rose of the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s believes Kandi Burruss‘ ex-fiancé may have suffered from the sickle-cell anemia blood disorder, which may have contributed to his death during a fight outside an Atlanta strip club.

“Preliminary results are suggestive of [sickle-cell],” said Rose. AJ sustained a severe blow to the head in the Oct. 2 brawl that took his life at the Body Tap Club. He was allegedly a co-owner of the strip club.

The sickle-cell anemia disorder affects red blood cells, and may have restricted AJ’s body’s oxygen supply and exacerbated his injuries. Rose believes “The altercation played a role in that [his death], and his underlying disease process contributed to his overall demise.”

A final report that will state his official cause of death is expected in the near future. Frederick Richardson, a club employee, was charged with voluntary manslaughter and is currently being held in an Atlanta jail without bond.

AJ Jewel, the former fiance of Kandi Burruss from the Real Housewives of Atlanta was buried last Friday.

Gathered to say their final goodbyes were his family and friends, as well as the Altanta housewives. Blogger and photographer FreddyO was invitied to the funeral, and shared some photos of the event.

AJ is described as being as a “loving Man, Brother, Father, and man of God” who was often misunderstood by the media.

Photos of the housewives are below, RIP AJ.

MORE PHOTOS BELOW —–

Kandi Burruss

Lisa Wu Hartwell

Kim Zolciak with Kandi Burruss’ daughter Riley

Nene Leakes

RIP AJ Jewel

Kim Zolciak of The Real Housewives of Atlanta opens up in an exclusive new interview with Essence.

Kim talks about how Kandi is dealing with her tragic week, her thoughts on AJ, the breakup with Big Poppa (Lee Najjar) as well as her new boyfriend. She also speaks briefly on Big Poppa’s wife, saying his wife knew about her.

Below are excerpts from Kim’s new interview -

ESSENCE.COM: How is Kandi doing? Have you spoken to her?
KIM ZOLCIAK: I spoke with her mom and texted her just to let her know I’m here. I was one of the first to find out and I called the other ladies. Everybody has been fantastic but it’s unfortunate that it takes a tragedy to bring us all together. We were able to put all our stuff on the back burner and come together for Kandi. It’s not something that I ever thought would happen, no matter how tragic the situation.

ESSENCE.COM: What was your interaction with A.J like?
ZOLCIAK: He actually called me last week and I never called him back, which sucks. I adored him. He was such a great guy. He was actually with Big Papa the night I got engaged. I hated that people have this bad impression of him because he had so many children. He was a great father and he was great with Riley [Kandi's 7-year-old daughter] and he loved Kandi.

ESSENCE.COM: And when is the wig line coming out?
ZOLCIAK: I’ve joined with a company called Pop Wigs who will manufacture and distribute the wigs. It’s a lot more work than I ever anticipated. I’m working on everything from trademarking to the packaging. I’m really proud of the wigs, so by December people will be able to do pre-orders and we can send them out by January.

ESSENCE.COM: So what’s the scoop? Are you or aren’t you still engaged to Big Papa?
ZOLCIAK: I am not engaged to Big Papa! I got a commitment ring last year and so when I got this new ring, I was led to believe that his divorce was final. Who gives someone a massive rock and makes this commitment if he wasn’t serious? I found out that I was still on the same merry-go-round. If there is one thing I have discovered about myself from doing this show it is that I’m just far too trusting. I’m actually dating someone new and I’m extremely happy. He’s my age, from California and cute as a button. I gave Papa almost four years of my life, so now I’m just trying to move on.

ESSENCE.COM: Have you ever had any interaction with his wife?
ZOLCIAK: Never, but she knew. At the end of the day, I want someone who has the same moral values that I do. The harsh reality is when you look at your relationship after so many years and it’s not what you thought, it’s very devastating. But you know what, I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time.

ESSENCE.COM: So there’s no chance you two will reconcile?
ZOLCIAK: I will never go back. When I’m done, I’m done. I have no desire to have anything further with him.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s reunion show which was scheduled to tape this week is reportedly postponed.

Bravo had planned to film a two-part show this week that was due to air on the network on October 29 and November 5. The taping has now been rescheduled in light of the death of castmate Kandi Burruss’s ex-fiancé Ashley A.J. Jewell.

Dwight Eubanks confirmed this news to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The hairdresser and honorary “sixth housewife” said he didn’t expect AJ to be edited out of the upcoming episodes.

“I don’t see them editing him out. It’s television. It’s reality. We just have to prepare and get geared up for next year,” said Dwight.

He also added that he is uncertain of Kandi’s future on the show, saying: “She’s had such a dramatic year. She had her uncle die, too. She has her own career to focus on. Now her life has changed with her daughter and taking temporary custody of [AJ's] twins.”

Kandi has however previously voiced her desire to return for a 3rd season before the passing of AJ.

Tragedy besieges upon Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Kandi Burruss as her ex-fiance, A.J. Jewel has died.

Police confirmed Friday night that Kandi’s ex-fiance A.J. Jewell was killed at an Atlanta night club, reports MyFoxAtlanta.

Police said Jewell died after a fight at the Body Tap club on Marietta Boulevard. AJ suffered a severe head injury during the fight and was taken to Piedmont Hospital, where he later died.

There are currently no suspects in custody.

Kandi updated her Twitter status with the following 3 hours ago -

“I could never n a million years imagine this happening. please pray for AJ’s children. that’s who im the most concerned 4. 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.”

Our deepest condolences go out to Kandi and AJ’s family.

UPDATE – Atlanta police spokesman James Polite says Fredrick Richardson has been arrested and charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of Ashley “A.J.” Jewell. Richardson was hospitalized after the alleged fight and will be taken into custody once he is released.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Kandi Burruss has found herself in a hard spot. Between the blogosphere and her mother, Kandi can’t seem to catch a break from all the disapproval surrounding her engagement to AJ Jewel. The disapproval stems from AJ being the father of 6 kids by 4 different women. Kandi’s harshest critic also happened to be her mother, who was very open about her non acceptance of AJ.

In a recent interview with ESSENCE.com, she answers some important questions- whether her mom has finally accepted AJ, If she and AJ have a future together and why she is raising three girls instead of one. She also reveals that AJ was previously married to one of the mother of his kids.

Below are some excerpts from the interview-

Throughout the show your mom has expressed her discontent with your fiancé. Does she still feel the same?
Yes, but what people don’t realize is that my mom’s [disapproval] happened before the show. When she feels strongly about something she won’t answer my calls and she gets very dry and everything. My mother has been overbearing since my brother died in a car accident in Mexico when he was 15. He told my mom he was going to Florida with a cousin and instead he was in Mexico and I don’t believe my mom has ever forgiven my cousin. Ever since that happened she became extremely over protective of me and when I got my first record deal at 16 even more so.

Speaking of which, inquiring minds want to know what exactly does AJ do for a living?
AJ over time has done a lot of things, including running this collection agency while we were together and he just recently bought into this strip club.

Hold up. Did you just say you and AJ are no longer together?
(Laughs.) We’re on hiatus. He’s a great guy and he’s not the type to sit on his behind like a scrub, so it has nothing to do with that. Yes, he has a lot of children, and yes, I didn’t know about them all at first but I got over it because as long as you handle your responsibility and spend time with your children it’s not an issue for me. Another thing I want to set the record straight on is that AJ was married before. A lot of people make comments like, if he didn’t marry his other children’s mothers then why do you think he’s going to marry you.

When we spoke before you expressed concern about how a separation might affect your daughter. How is she handling your break?
Things have changed because not only do I have my daughter living with me but now I am the legal guardian of AJ’s 12-year-old twin daughters because his mother felt the responsibility was too much for her right now and she couldn’t handle it anymore. He would have taken them with him, but they needed a strong female role model and wanted to stay with me. Just because AJ and I are together I have accepted them as my children the same way that my stepfather did me when I was their age and he and my mom separated. He continued do things with me as my father throughout my life.

That’s quite admirable. Now that you’ve been living in front of the cameras, would you do it for a second season?: They haven’t really talked to me about it, but yes, I would. I didn’t know what to expect or how they would portray me and I think it’s pretty accurate and there are pros and cons. I take the good with the bad. My life is changing in front of millions and I’m going to continue to grow and live my life.

For more on Kandi Burruss, you can watch the “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” on Thursdays, at 10 PM ET, and visit kandiconnection.com.