Erik Cowie, one of the lead zookeepers featured on Netflix’s Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness, has died. According to a new report from TMZ, the personality was found unresponsive in the New York apartment of a friend. Though no cause of death has been revealed as of yet, the tabloid reports police suspect no foul play, and “excessive alcohol” was found at the scene. He was 53.
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Audiences often found Cowie as one of the most level-headed personalities on the show. Despite working at Joe Exotic’s Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, Cowie ended up testifying against the eccentric zoo-owner in his federal animal rights case. Cowie’s testimony, in part, helped the United States government secure a conviction against Exotic, who subsequently receive a 22-year prison sentence.
That sentence was vacated by a different federal judge this July and is expected to be resentenced for his convictions at some point in the future.
“I knew when I agreed to represent Joe that an appeal would be difficult, but I also knew that the law was on Joe’s side,” Exotic’s attorney Brandon Sample told CNN in a statement after the latest ruling. “I am optimistic that the decision today is but one of many more victories to come for Joe — and his eventual freedom.”
Cowie was featured in both the primary Tiger King series and Netflix’s backup episode released after the docuseries became a nationwide phenomenon at the height of the pandemic. The late zookeeper pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated earlier this year, but never appeared as his sentencing hearing. A warrant has been out for his arrest ever since.
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness is streaming in its entirety on Netflix.
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