Tiger king zookeeper Erik Cowie was found dead at age 53 in an apartment in New York City face down on his bed by a friend. Erik Cowie worked for Joe Exotic when he was America’s Tiger King as he owned, at that time, America’s largest private zoo but his empire came tumbling down after his conviction for his attempt to murder Carole Baskin the CEO of Big Cat Rescue in Florida, his nemesis.
Erik Cowie testified against Joe Exotic at his trial which included charges of animal cruelty. He killed tigers that were no longer useful earners. He abused tiger cubs as they were good earners in photo-sessions and disposed of adult tigers. Sources say that there is nothing suspicious about Cowie’s death and no drugs were found at the scene but toxicology tests will still be performed. He admitted to having a drink problem and a large bottle of vodka was found at the scene.
Mr Cowie featured in Netflix hit documentary Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, which Carole Baskin so hated because she claimed that it painted a very unfair picture of her. It put her on a par with Mr Exotic when she was anything but that. Her whole life has been dedicated to rescuing big cats from the kind of abuse and cruelty meted out by Mr Exotic. Anyway, I digress.
Earlier this year Cowie had some legal problems. He was busted for driving under the influence in Oklahoma following a car accident at which he pleaded guilty. He didn’t show up to court for sentencing and an arrest warrant was issued. He ended up in New York City where he died under unknown circumstances.
Exotic claims he is dying of prostate cancer and wants his sentence reviewed and reduced. He unsuccessfully asked former president Trump for a pardon.
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