Jeff Johnson, a former reptile dealer who appeared in the first season of the hit Netflix docu-series Tiger King, has died age 58.
As TMZ report, Johnson died after taking his own life in front of his wife on September 8th. The incident report details that Johnson was arguing with his spouse in their garage when he shot a “Glock-style handgun” to his head.
Following the attempted suicide Johnson’s wife called 911. Officers found he still had a pulse and he was rushed to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead on arrival.
His wife reportedly claims that her husband had no history of mental illness and had never attempted suicide in the past.
Jeff Johnson featured on the fourth episode of the first season of Tiger King, where he disclosed his former friendship with the documentary’s subject, Joe Exotic, and exotic’s rival — animal rights activist Carole Baskin.
In the show, Johnson said that his friendship with Exotic suffered when new business partner Jeff Lowe, who took over the zoo in 2016, entered the fold.
This marks the second Tiger King death in recent months. In September, former zookeeper Erik Cowie, was found lying face down in a bed at his friend’s Brooklyn apartment on September 3rd.
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The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that Cowie’s death was natural, and a result of “acute and chronic alcohol use.”
The second season of Tiger King premiered on Netflix on November 17, 2021.
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There are a number of immediately contactable hotlines that you can call if you or anyone you know needs help:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
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- MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
- Headspace on 1800 650 890
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