Eugene Thomas King, who once held Paula Deen at gunpoint, found dead

Eugene Thomas King Jr., the convicted bank robber who once pressed a gun to Paula Deen's head during a 1987 holdup, has died. 

He was found dead inside his Brooklyn apartment on Thursday, family members told TMZ. The cause of death has not yet been determined.

King made headlines decades ago for the armed robbery that forever linked his name to Deen, who was working as a bank teller at the time. 

She later recounted how he held a firearm to her temple during the terrifying encounter, a crime for which he was ultimately convicted.

In a statement to police following the robbery, King expressed remorse, writing, 'Please tell her I’m sorry, but I never intended to hurt anyone,' as previously reported by Inside Edition. 

Years later, his name resurfaced when Deen faced backlash over past racial language.