'Tiger King' Star Jeff Johnson Kills Himself In Front Of His Wife

KEY POINTS

Police report indicated that Johnson had no mental health history
Reports say Johnson took his life after an argument with his wife
Their children, 4 and 5, were home at the time of the tragic incident

“Tiger King” star Jeff Johnson killed himself in front of his wife during an argument. The Oklahoma City Police Department revealed on Monday that Johnson, the reptile dealer who was interviewed in the fourth episode of the hit Netflix series, died in an apparent suicide.

According to police, officers were called to Johnson’s home past 10 p.m. on Sept. 8 for attempted suicide. The suicide reportedly took place in their garage, during a spat with his wife. Their children, ages 4 and 5, were home during the incident.

Police said Johnson did not immediately die at the scene and was even brought to a hospital. However, he was pronounced dead shortly afterward. The police report indicated that he had no mental health history at the time of his death.

An attorney for “Tiger King” star Joe Exotic confirmed he had spoken to Johnson’s widow, Charity, about the incident. However, details of their conversation are kept under wraps.

Johnson’s death comes just days after fellow “Tiger King” star Erik Cowie's death. The zookeeper was found dead on Sept. 3 in New York City and the medical examiner determined that he died a natural death, specifically from “acute and chronic alcohol use.”

Meanwhile, “Tiger King” season 2 hit Netflix on Nov. 17. Joe Exotic, who serves as the show’s central figure, is currently serving prison time for paying a hitman to murder animal rights activist Carole Baskin. He was transferred to a medical facility in North Carolina last week following his prostate cancer diagnosis.

In a letter he sent to the New York Post from jail, Joe claimed that the sophomore season of the show proves him to be “innocent,” claiming that former U.S. President Donald Trump was a fool for not pardoning him.

“President Trump was a fool not to pardon me,” he wrote. “Before the election, millions of people were hoping for it as they know I’m innocent, most of this is in TK2 and it will be the same for President Biden, the world will know the truth and him and VP Harris ran on justice and prison reform,” he added.

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.