In an unexpected plea for assistance, Joe Exotic, famously known as the “Tiger King,” has turned to social media, specifically Instagram, in his quest for freedom. The incarcerated star made a surprising appearance on Kourtney Kardashian’s account, where he left a comment under a photo of her and her newborn son, Rocky, pleading for help to be released from prison.
Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado, reached out to Kardashian in the comments section, writing, “Awwww cute, also please have your sister help me get out of this hell hole.” Despite garnering over 7,200 likes and numerous responses within days, there was no response from Kardashian or her sister.
The former zookeeper, now 60 years old, was sentenced to 22 years in prison in January 2020 for his involvement in a murder-for-hire plot against a rival and the killing of five tigers. Additionally, he was convicted of illegally selling tiger cubs, further adding to his legal troubles.
Exotic’s plea for help via Instagram isn’t the first time he has reached out to the Kardashian family for assistance. In December 2020, he penned a letter to Kim Kardashian, urging her to advocate for a pardon from then-President Donald Trump as part of her efforts in prison reform. Despite his appeals, Exotic’s requests either went unnoticed or were ignored.
Amid his incarceration, Exotic has faced health challenges, including a diagnosis of prostate cancer. In February 2023, he wrote a letter expressing concern that the aggressive disease may have spread to his bladder, adding another layer of urgency to his plea for intervention.
As Exotic continues his legal battles from behind bars, his unconventional methods of seeking help, including leveraging social media and reaching out to high-profile figures, highlight the extraordinary circumstances surrounding his case and the ongoing efforts to secure his release.
Image credits: Trusted Reviews