‘Tiger King’ Star Erik Cowie Dies At 52

Tiger King star Erik Cowie’s body was recovered by authorities in a New York City apartment on Friday. He was found facedown on the floor of his friend’s apartment. The former zookeeper appeared to have been in town to visit a friend and far from his Oklahoman home. Although no cause of death has been determined, the investigators have learned that Cowie ingested large quantities of alcohol, and a large bottle of vodka was found on the scene.

Cowie made multiple appearances as Joe Exotic‘s zookeeper in Tiger King. He continued tending to the big cats even after Exotic was arrested, only surrendering the animals to the Department of Justice after Carole Baskin was awarded ownership of the zoo.