Joseph Maldonado-Passage, best known as Joe Exotic – Tiger King, has been transferred to a federal medical facility in North Carolina following his recent diagnosis of prostate cancer.
According to attorney John M. Phillips, 58-year-old Maldonado-Passage is now residing in Butner Federal Medical Center after his diagnosis and is hoping to have the Tiger King Star transferred to Oklahoma, where he could prepare for re-sentencing and upcoming motions to overturn his conviction.
Phillips opened up about the diagnosis in a statement writing, “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 added.
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
Maldonado-Passage revealed his diagnosis earlier this month, sharing on Instagram, “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 test as well.”
In true Tiger King fashion, Maldonado-Passage couldn’t help but sign off with a dig at his bitter rival Carole Baskin concluding, “Right now I don’t want anyone’s pity and I’m sure Carole Will have her own party over this!”
Joseph Maldonado-Passage was sentenced to 22 years in prison last year for a range of crimes that he and his following continue to dispute, including a murder-for-hire plot to kill the above-mentioned rival, Carole Baskin.