'Tiger King' Star Joe Exotic Transferred To North Carolina Medical Facility Following Cancer Diagnosis

KEY POINTS

Joe Exotic was sentenced to 22 years in prison last year
He was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this month
His attorney confirmed he's now in a medical facility in North Carolina

Joe Exotic has been transferred to a medical facility in North Carolina following his prostate cancer diagnosis earlier this month. His attorney revealed in a statement that the “Tiger King” star had been transported via private plane from a facility in Texas to the Butner Federal Medical Center between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

According to Atty. John M. Phillips, Joe Exotic was originally supposed to be transferred later this month to Oklahoma, where he could prepare for re-sentencing and upcoming motions to overturn his conviction. However, his recent cancer diagnosis warranted his earlier transfer.

Updates on @joe_exotic - It has been a busy week for Joseph Maldonado. We expect his legal case will be escalating pretty soon. We are aware that federal agents are contacting witnesses. We urge every witness contacted by law enforcement to hire a lawyer. pic.twitter.com/edLxJYYtOU
— John M. Phillips (@JohnPhillips) November 20, 2021

“He is one of the most passionate, full of life, clients I have ever had the pleasure of representing,” wrote Phillips. Noting that he last spoke to his client on Nov. 1, he added, “Joe informed me that his fears were true. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. As noted in Joe’s recent statements, he has been undergoing medical treatment and tests for a host of issues.”

“The PSA test is a blood test used primarily to screen for prostate cancer. It was high months ago. He finally obtained biopsies. They revealed two cancerous areas. He is undergoing further testing,” he continued.

Joe exotic revealed in a statement on Instagram earlier this month that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. “Everyone, 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 tests as well,” he wrote at the time.

“Right now I don’t want anyone’s pity and I’m sure Carole will have her own party over this!” he added, referencing his longtime rival Carole Baskin.

Joe Exotic was sentenced to 22 years imprisonment last year for a range of crimes, including a murder-for-hire plot to kill Baskin, who is an animal rights activist and a fellow big cat enthusiast. Their feud was documented in the Netflix documentary series, “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness,” which started streaming on the platform in March 2020.