Joe Exotic Breaks His Silence On Death Of 'Tiger King' Co-Star Eric Cowie

Joe Exotic is breaking his silence on the death of the zookeeper and his 'Tiger King' co-star -- Eric Cowie.

The big cat zookeeper had a huge rise to fame after starring in Netflix's hit series 'Tiger King' alongside Joe Exotic. As you know, Exotic is still in prison facing a 22-year sentence in connection to a murder-for-hire plot and various animal cruelty crimes. But, he issued a statement from behind bars about the tragic death.

According to reports, Cowie was found dead inside a Brooklyn apartment, and "no foul play" was expected at the scene. The zookeeper's death was most likely from "natural causes" a report suggested, although Joe Exotic believed he succumbed to drugs and alcohol.

"I did everything I could to help him and save him from himself and he turned on me for fame. And money. There are a couple of others headed down the same path. RIP Erik. I will be making a donation in his name to a drug and alcohol treatment center," Joe wrote from prison.

He continued, "Agent Bryant and Carole Baskin have blood on their hands for setting all this up to start with."

If you didn't watch the show, Cowie wound up testifying at the television show star -- Joe Exotic's -- trial for killing tigers at the Greater Wynnewood Animal Park in Oklahoma. The zookeeper worked at the facility for 5 years. During the trial, Cowie testified that he was aware that "cats were getting shot" on a certain day in 2017. The federal government says five tigers in all were shot and killed by Joe Exotic. In the end, the 'Tiger King' star was convicted of trying to hire someone to murder co-star Carole Baskin, and 17 wildlife charges.

Interestingly, he found out about the opening at Exotic's Tiger zoo on Craigslist and gained huge notoriety after the show debuted in 2020. At the time, Cowie denied rumors he had an addiction to methamphetamines but acknowledged he had "some" issues with alcohol. The reality star was arrested on a DUI charge in May, after getting into a car crash on the highway. During the show, many pointed out Cowie's bad teeth -- and suspected it was from meth use. Also, during one promotion for the show, Eric is heard saying that when he was hired on at the zoo he was "at the end of his rope" but, was now doing Tiger shows.

At this point, it's unclear why the reality star was in Brooklyn, but he was discovered on Friday in the bedroom of an apartment on Remsen Ave.

It should be noted, NO drugs were found at the scene of Cowie's death after he was found inside a bedroom by a friend. An autopsy and toxicology tests will be performed to find out the official cause of death.

Fans of the show flooded social media posting messages like, "Sorry for your loss Joe he was a good man. My prayers go out to him and his family." Another added, "Rest in peace, Erik. You truly cared about the animals."