Carole Baskin's ex sought restraining order because he was scared, claims she told him 'dead bodies can't talk'
The former boyfriend of 'Tiger King' star Carole Baskin whom she attempted to evict before he filed for a restraining order against her, reportedly claimed that she told him "dead bodies cannot talk."Jay Baykal said that she had made the statement in reference to her missing husband.
Baskin has been in news over the month for being one of the subjects of the popular Netflix documentary series 'Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness'. The series features former zoo operator Joe Exotic, real name Joseph Maldonado-Passage, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison for plotting to kill her. The series has led people to speculate that Baskins killed her husband Don Lewis after he mysteriously disappeared in 1997.
Baykal, 67, had reportedly filed his petition for a restraining order on October 18, 2002, claiming he was in fear of his life, nearly two days after Baskin had filed eviction papers against him, the Daily Mail reported. Baykal, a textile buyer, had listed Baskin's home in Tampa, Florida, as his address, claiming that he was a joint owner of the property. The 67-year-old added in the documents that he was wary of Baskin's two guns which she kept loaded in her truck and the home, reports state.
Baykal, in a written statement, said: "I honestly fear I am in danger of death or serious bodily injury because her prior husband is missing and presumed dead."
Reports state that a few months before Baskin's husband Don Lewis disappeared, he had also filed for a restraining order against Baskin, claiming that the big cats enthusiast had threatened to kill him on two occasions and that she had hidden his gun away from him.
Baykal's request for a restraining order was reportedly uncovered by author Robert Moor, who spent nearly four years covering the rising tensions between Baskin and Joe Exotic. According to the outlet, Baskin, in addition to attempting to evict Baykal, had also filed multiple other petitions to evict other men from her properties over the years.
Considering a rising interest in the disappearance of Lewis in the wake of the Netflix docuseries, the local sheriff has reportedly asked for fresh leads in his disappearance. The speculations of Baskin possibly murdering her husband began after Exotic, in the series, referred to a rumor that Baskin killed her husband, put her remains through a meat grinder, and then fed them to the big cats at her rescue center. She, however, has denied any involvement in Lewis' disappearance.
Baykal, in his petition, claims that when he asked Baskin about what would happen if Lewis unexpectedly came back, she reportedly told him "dead bodies cannot talk."
"Her former husband's daughter told me she could be dangerous and watch my back," he added in the document. "[Baskin] carries two guns loaded always, one in her truck and one in her residence. She said she was a suspect in her husband's disappearance. Recently (3-4 days ago) she told me human bones were found near lazy days RV center, she said she hopes it's not on her property or she will be in deep s**t."
Baykal's restraining order request, however, was denied by a judge who said there were "no facts of violence or specific credible threat of imminent fear."