Joe Exotic is begging to be released from prison for health reasons

Fort Worth, Texas - The Netflix show Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness made Joe Exotic famous. He is currently serving a long prison sentence, but that could soon change.

Joe's wacky sense of style and shrill voice made him an icon last year.
Joe's wacky sense of style and shrill voice made him an icon last year.  © Collage: Imago/ZUMA Wire

Joe Exotic's (58) insane lifestyle, his "passion" for wildlife, as well as a series of incredibly shady business dealings brought him international attention last year.

Born Joseph Allen Schreibvogel, Joe later changed his last name to Maldonado-Passage after his marriage to his late husband, Travis Maldanado and later to Dillon Passage.

Since 2019, he has been serving a 22 years sentence for the conspiracy to murder his avowed arch-enemy, animal rights activist Carole Baskin (59), and for 17 counts of animal cruelty.

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Now he's stirring up controversy again, with recent claims on Twitter that he has prostate cancer. He wants to be released from prison early.

According to Exotic's own statements, his Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) level is high enough to be a clear sign of cancer. He also reports suffering from fatigue, severe weight loss, and sores in his mouth.

The jailed Netflix star says doctors are still trying to determine how advanced the cancer is.

Joe Exotic shares his woes on Twitter

Joe Exotic's lawyer disagrees with his client.

Animal rights activist Carole Baskin, 59, had a years-long falling out with Joe Exotic, and he hired a hitman to kill her.
Animal rights activist Carole Baskin, 59, had a years-long falling out with Joe Exotic, and he hired a hitman to kill her.  © IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

The New York Post spoke to his lawyer, John Phillips, who presented a slightly different picture of the situation, saying that Joe has not yet been diagnosed with definitive prostate cancer. It's premature to say that, Phillips said, even though doctors say he has all the signs.

The Netflix star has taken to Twitter to plead for help.

He hoped that former President Donald Trump would have pardoned him last year, but that didn't happen. He wants to convince President Joe Biden to give him a second chance at a pardon.

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The imprisoned icon is desperate to get home to get proper medical care and food.

It remains to be seen what the more specific results will be and whether Joe's hopes for an early release will actually come true.

Cover photo: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

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