Man found on fire in San Diego was prisoner in North Korea freed by President Jimmy Carter

Mystery deepens over shocking death of Aijalon Gomes, 38

Aijalon Gomes pictured with former US President Jimmy Carter after the latter intervened to bring him home from detention in North Korea (Adam Hunger/Reuters)

A man who was found on fire in San Diego is a former prisoner of North Korea who was freed with the help of former President Jimmy Carter.

Police on Tuesday said the death of Aijalon Gomes appears to be either an accident or suicide. The case remains under investigation.

Gomes was found burning in a field late on Friday. He died at the scene. The 38-year-old Boston man had recently moved to San Diego.

Gomes had been teaching English in South Korea when he was imprisoned for illegally crossing into North Korea from China in 2010. He spent months in prison until Carter arranged his release.

Gomes’ mother, Jacqueline McCarthy, told KNSD-TV that she plans to set up an online fundraising page to help cover funeral costs.

AP