'Amazing Race' Producer Found Dead: Poisoning Suspected
Jeff Rice, producer of the reality-adventure series "Amazing Race" has been found dead in Uganda, the victim of an apparently deliberate poisoning.
Rice, 39, was found alongside an unnamed assistant and immediately taken to a local hospital. He never recovered, and the assistant is still in a coma, according to Rice's wife. "She [the assistant] has not shown any improvement," Sally Blackman, Rice's wife, told FoxNews.
According to various reports, Rice and his assistant were victims of an attempted shakedown by a Ugandan gang. A source close to Rice told The Daily News that Rice refused to give up his hotel room to the group, and then came down "with poisoning of some kind."
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Paul Blackman, Rice's brother-in-law told MSNBC, "We've sent people up there to get some answers. Nothing is finalized yet. I don't know where they are getting this 'definitely poisoned thing.' There's so much stuff in the air about possible poisoning, all that kind of stuff. At the moment, we're just trying to get Jeff's body out of there to get some answers."
"They were not attacked," said Sally Blackman, "but [evidence] points towards being poisoned. At this stage it is quite difficult to give you any firm reports as the incident is currently under investigation by the Uganda police. I would not like to speculate or even attempt to give my views on this as this may jeopardize the investigation going forward."
Rice and Sally Blackman have been married for 11 years and have two children. He was due home on Feb. 25 for his daughter's birthday. Rice will be remembered for his producing ability as well as his devotion to family.
"He was a fantastic producer apparently, a very, very sought-after producer. He's a very well-liked character. He was a good guy, very relaxed and just a very good guy," said his brother-in-law. Wife Sally added, "Jeff was a dedicated father who made the most of his time with his family when back home in South Africa. He has left a huge void, not only in the film industry, but with his family he has left behind."
