The three-way relationship eventually transitioned into a traditional two-way marriage in 2015 when the laws changed. She indicated that Travis was also secretly attracted to young boy and girls, something authorities again found no evidence of. Details about Maldonados life before joining Exotics zoo have not been disclosed. Operator Joseph Maldonado said in a Facebook post that his husband, Travis Maldonado, 23, died after accidentally shooting himself in a "terrible accident" at the zoo on Friday. He then put the gun against his head and pulled the trigger (via People). Surprisingly, he died in front of Joe Exotic's campaign manager, who revealed that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot. Dial is still so distraught from witnessing Maldonados death that a GoFundMe page has been created to help pay for counselling for him that he says he cant afford. See full bio Born: March 22, 1994 Died: October 6, 2017 (age 23) in Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, Wynnewood, Oklahoma, USA Photos 2 photos Hide all | | Edit Filmography He said, Hey, did you know a Ruger wont fire without a clip?, he says. Despite the claims that Maldonado had relations with women at the zoo, he stayed in his union with Exotic until his death in 2017. . Photo: Maricopa County Medical Examiner The primary motive, according to prosecutors, was of jealousy and anger. A marijuana smoking pipe and a small amount of marijuana were retrieved from Travis pockets at the time. Like everything else in this saga, this story is hard to believe. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. There was a bullet in the gun, but he believed that it wouldn't fire if a magazine wasn't inside. At the time, Travis was playing around at the zoo's gift shop and showing off his Ruger pistol to one of the staff. He looks exactly how I wouldve imagined a high school version of him would look. This is not really light entertainment. Take care of yourselves and avoid it if you need to. If youve seen the docuseries, you know that Joe had several lovers, and husbands, during his lifetime. Probably nice or an empath and got used and abused tragic . Episode five explores the details leading up to the suicide of one of Joes husbands: Travis Maldonado. He went into Dial's room and pointed a gun at him and said, "Hey, did you know a Ruger won't fire without a clip?" Most recently, he remarried after his husband, Travis Maldonado, was found dead at the zoo of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound last fall. Though the suicide itself is offscreen, Travis took his life in front of another zoo employee, and the documentary shows the surveillance footage of the man who witnessed it. You dont see it but it shows the witness before, during, and after the incident. Joe took a liking to Travis almost immediately, the two got married in less than a month. We were talking, he was telling me about his gun. These personalities might not be as outrageous as Joe (he's in a league of his own), but they're worth exploring. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Binge-worthy entertainment news and celebrity interviews. Zoo and became Joe's fourth husband. He struggled with meth addiction while he was in California. This story has been shared 117,809 times. Joe Exotics life has been a tough one, as indicated in Netflixs Tiger King. Upon their arrival, Travis Maldonado was already dead, and there was a .45 caliber handgun at the scene. Updated Feb 14, 2020 at 8:49pm. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. When questioned by police, Dillon gave . Travis passed away in Wynnewood at the age of 23. Zoo owner, Joe Exotic, his sordid relationships with four different husbands, and his ongoing rivalry with animal rights activist, Carole Baskin. Their three-way marriage was eventually made into an official two-way marriage in 2015 after the law changed, and Finlay became estranged from the rest of the throuple. Unfortunately, on Friday, October 6, 2017, Joe received the call that shattered his world. Maldonado was 23 at the time of his death and was the first husband Joe legally. Nearly all of the $US5000 ($A7880) goal for Dials counselling has been reached, and an update earlier this week said he has found a provider and is currently being seen. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Joe met Travis Maldonado in 2013 when the young man was only 19 years old. However, based on photos shared by his sisters, brother Maldonado was very much loved and will be forever missed by all who knew him. John Finlay Remembers Travis Maldonado - YouTube 0:00 / 1:39 #SiriusXM #Sirius #SXM John Finlay Remembers Travis Maldonado 46,025 views Apr 3, 2020 215 Dislike Share Save SiriusXM 1.21M. Travis Maldonado. Authorities found Mesa resident, Travis Alexander, 30, dead in his own shower with his throat slit, a gunshot wound to his head, and stabs across his back and body. Joshua Dial, who once managed the gubernatorial campaign for Netflixs Tiger Kings Joseph Maldonado-Passage, says he still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing the 2017 accidental shooting death of Travis Maldonado, who was once married to the self-styled Joe Exotic., I definitely have PTSD, Dial tells PEOPLE. She made sure she killed him by stabbing him over and over and over again and then finishing him off by slicing his throat. Joe just bought him a Ruger. That spoiler scene hit me like a ton of bricks, my wife had her hands up on her face just like campaign manager did when it happened. There are two reasons why meth addiction could have played a role in his death: Using meth makes you more likely to suffer from an accident, including gunshots. . ), He was better looking than most actors and seemed nice and was probably trying to survive best he could life sux when narcissistic abusers take advantage. I have nightmares about it.. We have the details of his unfortunate demise, right here. Though there are many aspects of the series to comment on, many are attached to the story of [one of Joe Exotics husbands], Travis Maldonado. In the footage (around the 20-minute mark), we see the zoo employees look of shock as he watches Travis die by suicide. Gone too far: Stars fears after Molly rant, Police investigation into Carole Baskins husbands death, Carole, Howard Baskin feel betrayed by filmmakers. .css-16fbwkt{display:block;font-family:GraphikBold,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-16fbwkt:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-16fbwkt{font-size:1.05rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-16fbwkt{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-16fbwkt{font-size:1.39461rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.5rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-16fbwkt{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.3;}}Why Dr. Neuman in 'The Last of Us' Looks Familiar, Yellowstone Fans Wont Want to Miss Tulsa King, 'The Last of Us' Is Full of Video Game Easter Eggs, Why 1883 Fans Are Asking Tim McGraw to Be Safe, 'The Last of Us' Stars Daughter of a Famous Actor, Gronk on Tom Brady's Rumored Patriots Return, Brie Larson Shows Off Her Tattoo Transformation, Stephen A. on His New Memoir 'Straight Shooter', Jennifer Garner Posts Throwback Swimsuit Video, How HBO Changes The Last of Us From the Game, 'The Last of Us' Episode 1: Apocalypse Now. The lab used to process the crime scene evidence has since been shut down over . There was no preparation for what I saw in that office, he said. Maldonado was 23 at the time of his death and was the first husband Joe legally married, as reported by Oxygen. Both Finlay and Maldonado reportedly identified as straightand had rough backgrounds, according to New York Magazine, with Joe offering something of a sanctuary for his partners. Few could have predicted the runaway success of AMC's The Walking Dead series when it was first announced. Im lucky to even be alive.. Areli Carbajal Escobar was convicted of murdering Bianca Maldonado Hernandez, 17, and sentenced to death in 2011. . I'm the Mental Health Editor here at The Mighty. As the . A post shared by Garold Wayne zoological park (@gwzoo). On Oct. 6, 2017, when Travis Maldonado was 23 years old, he shot himself in the gift shop of the GW Zoo. 1:25. Travis was a drifter IMO. And that is especially cruel.. Joe Exotic called the incident a "tragic accident" duringa news conference,explaining Maldonado had been fooling around with other staff members and showed them his Ruger pistol. One of the stars of Tiger King has shed new light on one of the series most jaw-dropping moments the sudden death of Travis Maldonado. Evan is the culture editor for Mens Health, with bylines in The New York Times, MTV News, Brooklyn Magazine, and VICE. The second he pulled the trigger, I knew he was dead, he said. Your mental well-being is more important than being in the know about a popular show. Maldonado, a "19-year-old meth addict," as Women's Health reports, started working at the zoo in 2013 and started a polyamorous relationship with Exotic and Finlay. You dont come back from something like that.. Exotic has had four husbands, including a man named Travis Maldonado. rivalry with animal rights activist, Carole Baskin. The Netflix docuseries,Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness,focuses on Joe "Exotic"Maldonado-Passage, the former owner of Oklahoma's Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park. Travis had read on the internet that the gun wouldn't fire without the magazine. On October 6, 2017, emergency responders were called to Joe Exotic's zoo. Speaking about his death, Joe said, He was so good with his guns. There are no doubts that Travis died in an untimely manner, and it is a death that could have been avoided. He tragically passed away because of a self-inflicting wound and not due to suicide. According to his husband Joe, he was showing off a Ruger pistol to the staff and joking around in the zoo's gift shop. One of Joe Exotic's husbands Travis Maldonado died in a tragic accidental suicide. Ive had so much love coming in my direction I cant even respond to it now.. You dont come back from something like that.. Eventually, Travis made his way to Joes zoo in December 2013. Travis was a man who never understood people that are judgemental. Right then, he put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger to prove to me it wouldnt fire without a clip. Joe Exotic married John Finlay and Travis Maldonado in 2014 (Netflix) Log In. The incident isn't shown directly on-camera, but Joseph. Eccentric Joe's fourth husband Travis Maldonado was 23 years old when he shot himself in the zoo's gift shop - with his death covered in an episode of Tiger King. We've received your submission. Would that yearbook photo be around 2009-2010? Joe Exotic's Third Husband's Fate is Disturbing, Why Dr. Neuman in 'The Last of Us' Looks Familiar, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. Arias, who once lived freely and enjoyed traveling, now spends her time inmaximum security unit of the Perryville prison in Goodyear, Arizona. #MightyTogether. In 2014, following a restitution hearing, Arias was ordered to pay more than$32,000 to Travis family. This guy has been through it all, the page said. Maldonado's death hit Exotic hard: My entire soul died, he later said, according to TM. Travis was just 23 when he shot himself in the head in shocking scenes shown in Netflix documentary Tiger King . But trouble was never far away, and Finlay soon began complaining that the zookeeper was "manipulative and controlling," per Texas Monthly. All three men wore pink, button-down shirts at the unofficial ceremony, and some of the "flower girls" were monkeys. One of the later episodes has footage where a suicide happens off screen. I said, Really? He put the gun to his temple at that point and pulled the trigger.. After Maldonados version of a wake-up call, he joined Dial in his office and said, Hey, did you know a Ruger wont fire without a clip? before he put the gun to his temple and pulled the trigger, Dial recalled to People. . Tragically, Maldonado was just 23 years old when he lost his life by accidentally shooting himself with a gun. We may earn a commission through links on our site. In a rare move, prosecutors had agreed that the evidence was faulty and there should be a new trial. it happened so fast.. i have seen the surveillance footage already but my sister Danielle hadnt and she f*cking lost her sh*t right now so i just wanted to warn you.. The entire wedding was zoo themed, with an orange cake with black tiger stripes. She later began giving interviews while in jail, and in an interview with Inside Edition, she assured the public that she would never be found guilty of murdering her former boyfriend. Of course, this was a three-way marriage, which involved John Finlay as well. No matter the reason, a fight, the argument or the laughter. Maldonado, a California native, had allegedly struggled with a meth addiction, and one of the employees at GW Zoo suggested working with animals might help him recover,Texas Monthlyreported. Authorities found no evidence that Travis ever abused Arias. When Maldonado walked into Dial's office at Joe Exotic's Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park just before accidentally shooting himself, it was the second time the 23-year-old had waved a gun at Dial that day. I definitely have PTSD. During trial,prosecutor Juan Martinez argued that Travis suffered through excruciating pain and ultimately died when Arias slashed his throat, cutting hiscommon carotid artery,jugular vein, andtrachea. Maldonado met a tragic end with an accidental suicide. He wanted to prove that so he took out the magazine. According to witnesses, he removed the magazine from a pistol to show that it wouldn't fire without it, despite having bullets in the. Maldonados sister, Ashley, recently posted a warning on her Facebook page warning viewers of her brothers untimely death. Dial's reaction to Maldonado' death was captured on CCTV, which was shown in the documentary. Travis tragically passed away from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Travis Maldonado was 19!!! . They just showed his tragic passing and mived on to the rest of the bazaar shit. I dont want to have to ask for help, but I know that everything I went through, especially working over a-year-and-a-half looking at that bullet hole thousands of times, I need help, he told People. That very day he did that to me. Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. Among those men is Travis Maldonado, who met an early fate in 2017. According to Cheat Sheet, the young man was battling drug addiction at that time, and per a friend's suggestion, he worked at the zoo in hopes that caring for animals might help him overcome his drug habit. Travis Michael Maldonado started a job the G.W. 23-year-old Travis Maldonado, the husband of Joe Exotic, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency officials who responded. Upon their arrival, Travis Maldonado was already dead, and there was a .45 caliber handgun at the scene. Unfortunately, he was wrong. Maldonado was 23 years old at the time of his death. He built a memorial for Maldonado on the zoos grounds. He is popularly known as the husband of the Tiger King named Joe Exotic. April 16, 2020 Arguably the most shocking moment in all of Tiger King is the accidental suicide of Travis Maldonado. Maldonado, who came from California and had a troubled history with Meth addiction, was an important person in Joe Exotic's life. After Maldonado's accidental suicide, Dial suffered from PTSD after witnessing the horrific incident. According to Joe, the shooting was an accident. Maldonado incorrectly believed that if he took the magazine out of the gun, it wouldn't fire, even though there was a bullet in the chamber. Ive just been grateful for the support of people that are trying to get me help for counseling, he says. It appears you entered an invalid email. Authorities say on May 31, 2009, Escobar entered the east Austin apartment of 17-year-old Bianca Maldonado and murdered her. He said, You know a Ruger wont fire without a clip, and I said, Really?, and he said: Yeah. You dont come back from something like that.. Dillon Passage Dillon Passage Photo: Netflix Passage is introduced later in the series, appearing with Exotic during his doomed campaign for governor of Oklahoma in 2017. Hey there! Officially, Travis Maldonado died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Zoo in Oklahoma before his arrest and conviction from a complex murder-for-hire plot. Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is a seven-part documentary series that follows the true story of Joe Exotic (real name: Joseph Maldonado-Passage), a large cat breeder who ran the G.W. He died in an accidental shooting. TIGER KING: Police investigation into Carole Baskins husbands death, TIGER KING: Carole, Howard Baskin feel betrayed by filmmakers. The former zookeeper married Brian Rhyne in 1986 and lasted until Rhyne's death in 2001. Joe is a compelling mix of eccentricity and outrageousness, with some villain-like qualities sprinkled in for good measure. But if youve lost a loved one to suicide, struggle with suicidal ideation or have attempted suicide in the past, theres a scene we want you to be aware of in episode five, Make America Exotic Again.. Nearly all of the $5,000 goal for Dials counseling has been reached, and an update earlier this week said he has found a provider and is currently being seen.. Dial says that after Maldonado's October 6 death, Maldonado-Passage allegedly called a meeting and accused staffers of not doing enough to save his young husband and then made them watch a. One of the hardest knocks that Joe has had to deal with, has been the death of Travis Maldonado. In 2008, Arizona woman Jodi Arias drove to her former boyfriends home and murdered him in cold blood, leaving behind overwhelming pieces of evidence. Stars of 'Tiger King' : Where Are They Now? There, youll also find thoughts and questions by our community. Travis Alexander died an extremely gruesome death, and prosecutors convinced a jury it was at the hand of . Generally speaking, fans seem to have a bit more sympathy (relatively) for Travis than for anyone else involved in the story. He pulled the trigger and was wrongaccording to the Texas Monthly piece, he died on site before first responders were even able to arrive. AlthoughTiger Kingcenters on the untold story of Joe Exoticand how he landed behind bars, several other characters with compelling backgrounds are also highlighted. Specifically: Ashes given to Joe Exotic. Travis, his husband, was dead. In shocking scenes, Travis tragically passed away in October 2017 aged 23 after he accidentally shot . Travis Maldonado deserved better. After watching Tiger King and seeing what happened to Travis Maldonado, it just broke my heart and I wanted to know more about him, unfortunately there is not much out there about him or his. Maybe five seconds of his eyes I could read it and then he was gone. The details are disturbing. Its been a decade since Arias brutally snuffed the life out of Travis, a Mormon whose faith helped him succeed in motivational speaking as as an author. Im lucky to even be alive.. The Untold Truth Of Joe Exotic's Deceased Husband Travis Maldonado. To watch someone take their own life is a violation against nature. The ceremony was held in 2014, but the union did not last. He died in the. In 2015, when the jury again couldnt decide on sentencing, a judge sentenced Arias to life in prison. Maldonado's death was ruled accidental suicide and a memorial was built for him on the park. He believed that everyone was capable of mistakes, being who they are and being forgiven by not only God but fellow man for those mistakes. An insider has revealed Aussie actor Samuel Johnson was visibly upset after a brutal on-air rant about his former mate Molly Meldrum. According to Dial, Maldonado woke him up like he did most mornings: by pointing a gun at him. He loves weird movies, watches too much TV, and listens to music more often than he doesnt. Joshua Dial, who managed Joe Exotic's gubernatorial campaign, said, "What Travis would do in the morning is he would kick down the door, point a gun at you.". This is footage of accidental suicide of Travis Maldonado.May he Rest In Peace Although things might have been chaotic at the zoo, Joe's marriage appeared stable up until Maldonado's unexpected death. Hours after the couple confirmed their decision to separate, Carrie Bickmores partner Chris Walker shared his feelings on Instagram. Dial alleges that Joe Exotic, aka Joe Madonado-Passage, forced him to watch videos of one of the zoos tigers attacking zoo staffer Saff, who ended up losing her arm. Last known location was sitting on Joe's nightstand . Comical scenes as residents try to take down gazebo in high winds; The tension escalated in August 2014, when Finlay allegedly attacked Joe in the parking lot behind GW Zoo. But the series star Joe Exotic still doesn't know about the show's treatment of the death of his former husband Travis Maldonado. Zoo in Oklahoma before being arrested and convicted for the murder-for-hire plot against animal rights activist Carole Baskin. My entire soul died, Exotic said. He will be dearly missed.. However, there was no magazine in the gun, and he said and was apparently certain that without that piece, the gun would not fire. I was so upset. He broke into my room, pointed that new gun that he said would not fire without a clip at me, and asked me to wake up. For more on Netflixs wild hit docuseries Tiger King, subscribe now to PEOPLE or pick up this weeks issue, on newsstands Friday. Only death could relieve that pain. The ceremony officiates Joseph "Exotic" Maldonado-Passage's polygamist relationships with John Finlay and Travis Maldonado, both of whom met him while working at his Wynnewood, Oklahoma, zoo.. Its not something that the human brain is meant to deal with.. The primary motive, according to prosecutors, was of jealousy and anger. Dial says he and Maldonado, who came to the zoo in 2013, were in his office at the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park when the shooting occurred. Per Standard, Finlay left the relationship after getting a zoo worker pregnant. Travis Maldonado was 19 years old when he started working at Exotic's zoo in 2013. While everyones raving about #TigerKing, I think its important to note theres an onscreen suicide. Mala Bhattacharjee (@badnecklace) March 29, 2020. Netflix's true crime documentary series "Tiger King" delved into the life of zookeeper Joe Exotic and his rival, conservationist Carole Baskin. memorial page for Travis Michael Maldonado (22 Mar 1994-6 Oct 2017), Find a Grave Memorial ID 208518511, ; . Warning:This piece contains spoilers about the docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.. The Disturbing Details Behind The Death Of Joe Exotic's Husband. Travis Maldonado's accidental death YouTube/WatchMojo Two years later, Maldonado died from a self-inflicted gunshot. Boondocks Gift Cards, Virgo And Aquarius, Dark World Deck Legacy Of The Duelist, Slick Pulla Net Worth, Travis Maldonado Death Scene, 2013 Nissan Altima Dashboard Not Working, Project Solaris Yacht, Hamba Nathi Lyrics, Prince Fatafehi alaivahamamao Tukuaho, Timothy Delaghetto Height, Subway Surfers Alex, Repco Mig Welder Review, Alberta . Apparently, he was trying something that he'd read on the internet. The bizarre seven-part docuseries, Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness, has taken the world by storm. Travis Maldonado accidentally killed himself in 2017. Exotic started dating Dillon Passage, who would then become his husband just a few months later.. As people watch The Tiger King and learn the story of Joe Exotic and the world around him, they're also learning about Travis' role in the story, and the tragic way it came to an end. 'Tiger King' Star Admits He Saw The 'Fear' In Travis Maldonado's Eyes When He Shot Himself Netflix just dropped a bonus episode of 'Tiger King', and Joe Exotic's campaign manager Joshua Dial. Its been a hard realization for me to come to. How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. A strangers death has never made me so emotional.