Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as “Tiger King” or “Joe Exotic,” has announced he is dealing with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in a letter from federal prison in Forth Worth, Texas.

“It is with a sad face that I have to tell you the doctors called me in today to break the news that my prostate biopsy came back with an aggressive cancer. I am still waiting on the results from other test as well,” read Maldonado-Passage's letter addressed to "everyone."

Maldonado-Passage, 58, drew attention in March 2020 with the release of a true-crime Netflix documentary that centered around a group of big cat conservationists.

In January 2020, Maldonado-Passage was sentenced to 22 years in prison in the attempted murder-for-hire plot to kill Carole Baskin. Maldonado-Passage and Baskin had disagreed on the way he ran his zoo operation. He was also found guilty of violating the Endangered Species Act.

The letter asked the public to be "his voice," so he can be released and get proper treatment. He has claimed that he is innocent.

“Carole will have her own party over this!” he wrote in a tweet describing the news.

Maldonado-Passage attorney John M. Phillips confirmed the cancer diagnosis.

"I can and will publicly confirm Joe’s cancer. He and I spoke Monday with both of us in tears at a point. He needs freedom by so many definitions, and we are diligent working towards that," Phillips tweeted.

A new series about Maldonado-Passage and Baskin's exotic tiger stories, "Tiger King 2," is scheduled to be released on Netflix on Nov. 17.

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