Who signed the will of ‘Tiger King’ star’s ex-husband? It was a crime, police say
A new revelation about the disappearance of Don Lewis, “Tiger King” star Carole Baskin’s ex-husband, stands to fuel more theories among fans of the hit Netflix series.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister confirmed to WTSP that Lewis’ will, which gave Baskin control of his estate worth a reported $10 million, was forged.
“They had two experts deem it 100 percent a forgery,” Chronister said Tuesday. “But, we knew that ... we knew that before.”
Several people have challenged the will’s authenticity since “Tiger King” first captured the attention of pop culture. In May, Lewis’ former attorney Joseph Fritz told Fox News that his client’s signature on the will appeared to be traced.
Separately, the Clarion Ledger reported that the person who notarized the will has no recollection of authenticating the document. Two handwriting experts also deemed Lewis’ 1991 marriage license as the source from where the will’s signature was copied, according to the Mississippi newspaper.
The only thing that prevented deputies from filing any will-related charges was the expiration of the statute of limitations. Lewis disappeared in 1997 before being declared legally dead in 2002, WTSP noted.
Baskin has always denied playing a role in Lewis’ disappearance. Yet theories claiming she killed her husband have persisted thanks in part to “Tiger King” rival Joe Exotic, who has repeatedly accused of doing just that. Even the “Tiger King” series itself insinuates she played a role in Lewis’ disappearance.
“Don was not easy to live with and like most couples, we had our moments,” Baskin wrote in a blog post criticizing the Netflix series. “But I never threatened him and I certainly had nothing to do with his disappearance. When he disappeared, I did everything I could to assist the police.”
A jury slapped Exotic, real name Joseph Maldonado-Passage, with a 22-year prison sentence in January for “several wildlife violations” and hiring a hit man to kill Baskin, CNN reported.
In a strange twist of fate, Baskin recently seized control of Exotic’s former zoo in Wynnewood, Oklahoma.
