Richard Ivan Queen (August 7, 1951 – August 14, 2002) was born in Washington, D.C., and worked for the U.S. State Department as Vice Consul at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran.
Richard Queen began to physically deteriorate fairly early during his confinement.
As his illness progressed and it became increasingly difficult for Queen to stand or walk, he was finally taken to a local hospital where he was examined by the neurologist Dr Mehryar for a more thorough evaluation.
After Mehryar's consultation, the hostage takers determined that Queen's illness required they release him.
Richard Queen died on August 14, 2002, in Falls Church, Virginia, due to complications from multiple sclerosis.