Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube
The New York Banner

“Tiger King” Star Jeff Johnson Has Died In An Apparent Suicide

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
WhatsApp
Telegram

His family and friends have our deepest condolences.

Jeff Johnson, who was best known to Netflix fans as the reptile dealer featured in “Tiger King,” died at the age of 58. He had a cameo in season 1, episode 4 which broadcast in 2020, when he discussed about animal-rights activist Carole Baskin.

Photo of the Remarkables mountain range in Queenstown, New Zealand.

According to the Oklahoma City Police Department statement obtained by PEOPLE, Johnson shot himself in front of his wife on September 8 after an altercation with her in their garage. CNN then reports that their two children, ages 4 and 5, were there at the time of the event.

As per to another report, Johnson’s wife dialed 911 and was brought to the hospital after being discovered to have a pulse on the scene. Johnson, on the other hand, was pronounced dead when he arrived at a nearby hospital. Johnson also had “no mental health history.”

His death comes on the heels of another “Tiger King” celebrity, zoologist Erik Cowie. Cowie was found dead on September 3 in New York City, with the medical examiner citing “acute and chronic alcohol consumption” as the cause of death.

On the other hand, Exotic, whose actual name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is presently doing time in jail for paying a hitman to assassinate animal rights activist Carole Baskin. For it and other offenses, he was sentenced to 22 years in jail in 2020, for murdering tigers to create place for more big cats at his exotic animal park.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Reactions to "Tiger King" Star Jeff Johnson Has Died In An Apparent Suicide

This is all Netflix fault.

@mwhelchel7

Wtf

@justbrandonlool

Bruuuuhhhhhh what?!?! Okay I'm watching this second season this week cuz this shit starting to feel like a conspiracy. Smh

@kevinbennylee

R.I.P

@DONKEYMARIOY

Damn

@BUNDLZisTANA