The disappearance of Don Lewis, former husband of Tiger King's Carole Baskin, remains one of the most discussed true crime mysteries highlighted by Netflix's popular documentary series. Multiple individuals close to Lewis have expressed their conviction that foul play was involved in his 1997 vanishing. Family members, business associates, and friends have consistently pointed to concerning statements Lewis made in the weeks before he disappeared.

Evidence surrounding the case includes troubling details that weren't fully explored in the original series. Court documents reveal Lewis filed a restraining order against Baskin just two months before his disappearance, claiming she had threatened his life. Additionally, subsequent relationships in Baskin's life have shown similar patterns of conflict, with another restraining order filed by a former boyfriend who expressed fear for his safety after their relationship ended.

Key Takeaways

Don Lewis filed a restraining order against Carole Baskin two months before his disappearance, claiming she had threatened his life.
Multiple witnesses, including Lewis's ex-wife, children, and business associates, have expressed belief that Lewis was planning to divorce Baskin.
Court records show another of Baskin's former partners filed a restraining order against her, citing fear for his personal safety.

Overview of Accusations Against Carole Baskin

Public Suspicions and Theories

Carole Baskin became a subject of widespread suspicion following the release of the Netflix documentary series "Tiger King." The disappearance of her second husband Don Lewis in 1997 sparked numerous theories about her potential involvement. Many viewers formed opinions based on the documentary's presentation of circumstantial evidence and testimony from various individuals connected to Lewis. The timing of his disappearance—shortly after apparent discussions about divorce—has fueled much of the speculation that continues today.

Statements from Lewis's Family and Associates

Don Lewis's former wife, children, and business partners have publicly expressed their beliefs about his disappearance. His ex-wife Gladys Lewis reported that Don had told her he intended to divorce Carole, describing her as "dangerous" and "one of the worst people he ever met." Business associate Wendell Williams claimed that during their final meeting, Don discussed divorce plans designed to protect his assets.

Kenny Farr, Lewis's handyman, corroborated these accounts, stating Don was arranging his affairs to minimize Carole's financial gain in a potential divorce. Another associate, Mark McCarthy, reported that approximately one month before vanishing, Don had expressed fears for his personal safety.

Key witnesses against Baskin:

Gladys Lewis (ex-wife)
Don's children
Wendell Williams (business associate)
Kenny Farr (handyman)
Mark McCarthy (business associate)
Anne McQueen (executive assistant)

Protection Order Documentation

Perhaps the most compelling evidence comes from a restraining order Don Lewis filed against Carole approximately two months before his disappearance. According to the document, he wrote: "This is the second time Carole has got angry enough to threaten to kill me," adding that "she has an 45 revolver" and had hidden his .357 firearm.

Anne McQueen, Don's executive assistant and power of attorney, testified that Don gave her an envelope containing this restraining order shortly before his disappearance. He instructed her to keep it safe and give it to police if anything happened to him.

Notably, another man named Jay Baykal, who dated Carole after Don's disappearance, also filed a protection order against her in 2002. In his filing, Baykal claimed he feared for his life, citing Carole as a suspect in her former husband's disappearance. He alleged that when asked about Don potentially returning, Carole reportedly answered, "Dead bodies can't talk."

Personal Writings and Alleged Statements

Entries from what is purported to be Carole Baskin's diary reveal potential tensions in the marriage. In one excerpt, she wrote: "I listened while he told me that all of his money and everything earned by himself and brought into this marriage by himself was his." She continued by expressing a wish for "some way out."

According to Jay Baykal's restraining order filing, even Carole's daughter Jamie allegedly warned him that her mother was "dangerous" and that he should "watch his back." The document also referenced an incident involving human remains, with Baykal claiming Carole expressed concern about bones being found on her property.

Additional allegations emerged during interviews with former staff members from Joe Exotic's zoo, suggesting patterns of concerning behavior beyond what was documented in the Netflix series.

Historical Legal Cases Related to Safety Concerns

Don Lewis's Legal Protection Filing

Don Lewis, the former husband of Carol Baskin, filed legal paperwork seeking protection approximately two months before his August 1997 disappearance. Court documents reveal that in June 1997, Lewis documented concerns for his personal safety.

The filing contained troubling statements from Lewis, indicating this was "the second time" threats had been made against his life during a domestic dispute. He specifically noted being ordered to leave their shared residence under threat of harm.

The document also mentioned firearms, with Lewis stating his wife possessed a .45 caliber weapon and had allegedly taken and hidden his .357 handgun. This filing represents a significant legal record predating the disappearance that would later become the subject of widespread public interest.

Jay Baykal's Documented Safety Concerns

In 2002, Jay Baykal, who was in a relationship with Carol Baskin following Don Lewis's disappearance, also sought legal protection through official channels. Police reports accessible in public records show Baykal expressed serious concerns for his personal wellbeing.

In his filing, Baykal referenced several alarming elements:

Explicit fear of "serious bodily injury or death"
Mention of Carol's previous husband's disappearance
A disturbing alleged statement from Carol that "dead bodies can't talk" when discussing her missing former spouse

The document also contained a claim that Jamie, Carol's daughter, had allegedly warned Baykal about potential danger, suggesting he should "watch his back."

Baykal's filing included a reference to human remains discovered near a local recreational vehicle facility, with an alleged comment from Carol expressing concern about whether these remains might be found on her property. This legal action occurred shortly before Carol met her current husband, Howard Baskin.

Both legal filings represent documented instances where individuals in close relationships with Carol Baskin sought legal intervention based on expressed safety concerns.

Carole Baskin's Relationship History

Carole Baskin's personal relationships have been the subject of significant public scrutiny, particularly after her rise to fame through the Netflix documentary series. Her romantic history includes multiple marriages and relationships that have generated controversy and speculation among the public and those close to her.

Former Marriage to Michael Murdock

Carole's first marriage was to Michael Murdock, with whom she had a daughter named Jamie. This relationship predated her more publicized marriage to Don Lewis. According to statements from former associates, this early marriage remains shrouded in mystery, with limited public information available about the circumstances of their relationship or its conclusion.

Some individuals familiar with Carole's history have suggested in interviews that there are significant untold aspects of this early marriage. The relationship with Murdock established the foundation of Carole's family life before her subsequent relationships became subjects of public interest.

Concerning Warnings from Carole's Close Associates

Individuals who had close relationships with Carole have reportedly expressed serious concerns about her behavior. According to filed legal documents, a boyfriend named Jay Baykal who lived with Carole in 2002 sought a restraining order against her, citing fear for his personal safety.

In the restraining order documentation, Baykal claimed:

He was "in fear of danger of serious bodily injury or death"
He referenced a disturbing conversation where he asked about her previous husband
Carole's own daughter allegedly warned him that her mother was "dangerous"

This pattern of concern appears in multiple accounts from those who had intimate relationships with Carole. The documentation shows that two different intimate partners filed restraining orders citing safety concerns, which represents a notable coincidence in her relationship history.

These allegations surfaced alongside the better-known controversies regarding her relationship with Don Lewis, forming part of a complex personal history that continues to generate public interest and speculation.

Further Findings and Expert Observations

Skeletal Remains Located in Proximity to Recreational Vehicle Facility

The investigation into Don Lewis's disappearance took an unexpected turn when information emerged about human remains discovered near a recreational vehicle center approximately 25 miles from Big Cat Rescue. This discovery raised questions among investigators due to its potential connection to the case.

Court documents reveal that Jay Baykal, who dated Carole after Don's disappearance, mentioned these remains in his restraining order application. He noted that Carole had expressed concern about whether these bones might be found on property connected to her.

The timing of this discovery in relation to other case events warrants further examination by authorities. Forensic analysis of these remains could potentially provide crucial evidence in the ongoing investigation.

Witness Testimony Regarding Carole Baskin's Conduct According to Former Associate

John Ranky, who previously managed operations at Joe Exotic's zoo, made significant statements during a recorded interview with comedian David Spade. During this conversation, Ranky suggested that Carole's marital history contained additional concerning elements beyond what was publicly known.

Ranky specifically claimed that Carole has "a really deep past" with "things that haven't come out yet." His most striking assertion was that she has another missing husband predating Don Lewis—an allegation that would introduce new dimensions to the investigation if substantiated.

These claims remain unverified by official sources but have generated renewed interest in examining Carole's relationship history more thoroughly. Law enforcement would need to determine whether these allegations merit formal investigation or represent unsubstantiated speculation.

Upcoming Tiger King Bonus Episode

Netflix plans to release a bonus episode of the controversial documentary series Tiger King on April 12, 2025. This additional content comes amid renewed interest in the case of Carole Baskin and the disappearance of her former husband Don Lewis.

The bonus episode will explore previously undiscussed evidence and testimony regarding Lewis's disappearance. Several key witnesses who were close to Lewis have expressed their beliefs about the circumstances surrounding his vanishing.

Key Individuals Discussing the Case:

Don Lewis's ex-wife
Don's former business associates
Don's executive assistant
Lewis's former lawyer

According to reports, the episode will examine restraining orders filed against Baskin. The documentary will also investigate statements made by individuals who had personal relationships with her before her current marriage to Howard Baskin.

New testimony suggests Lewis had been planning to divorce Baskin shortly before his disappearance. He allegedly took steps to protect his assets and expressed concerns about his personal safety to multiple people.

The bonus episode will also reportedly feature an interview with John Reinke, a former zoo manager who worked with Joe Exotic. His statements about Baskin's past relationships have generated significant interest among followers of the case.

Viewers can expect to see previously unreleased documentation, including police reports and personal diary entries. These materials will provide additional context to the already controversial narrative presented in the original series.

Did Carole Baskin Kill Her Husband? Tiger King's Don Lewis Disappearance Evidence Update