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​Man Took Selfie With Carole Baskin As He Served Her Lawsuit Papers From Don Lewis’ Family

​Man Took Selfie With Carole Baskin As He Served Her Lawsuit Papers From Don Lewis’ Family

Process server Ira M. Lockhart recalls how he managed to get a truly iconic photo with Baskin in the new series of Tiger King.

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

A man has revealed how he had the balls to ask Carole Baskin for a selfie as he served her lawsuit papers from Don Lewis' family.

Baskin, as you'll be well aware, is the American animal rights activist behind Big Cat Rescue, who featured heavily in the first instalment of Netflix docu-series Tiger King as the arch-rival of Joe Exotic.

Carole Baskin at her sanctuary, Big Cat Rescue.
Alamy

In season one, we found out that her ex-husband Don Lewis disappeared in 1997 - a mystery that's still not been solved to this very day.

After the show aired, Lewis' daughters hired attorney John Phillips and filed a lawsuit seeking more information from Baskin about what happened to their father - also offering a $100,000 (£74,000) reward to anyone with intel.

Don Lewis' daughter Donna Pettis speaking during a news conference in August 2020.
Alamy

As of 2021, the case remains open, with no arrests or charges made.

In the new series of Tiger King, we hear how about the moment Baskin was served the papers, with process server Ira M. Lockhart admitting he asked her for a selfie.

In episode three, he recalls: "John Philips, the attorney, calls me and says 'I've got a high profile person for you'.

"I pick up the summons and it says Carole Baskin, and I said 'Get the *beep* outta here!'

Don Lewis, who has been missing since 1997.
Netflix

"So I drive out, drive to the compound gate. I see Carole coming around on the golf cart.

"And I said, 'Hey Carole, you probably know what this is.'

"She said, 'Yeah, I know what this is.'

"She looks at it , and I said, 'Carole, do you mind if I take a selfie with you?'"

Lo and behold, Baskin obliged, and the result was a pretty iconic photograph with a surreal story behind it.

Instagram/Ira M. Lockhart

Lockhart adds: "She knows, I handed her the lawsuit, and you take a selfie with me? I think she feels like she's untouchable.

He even later posted it on Instagram, where people found the snap nothing short of hilarious.

"No you didn't!" one person commented, to which Lockhart replied: "Yes I did."

Someone else said: "Stop it lmao."

A third wrote: "Fantastic!!"

The new series of Tiger King, which landed on Netflix on 17 November, not only explores what's been happening in America's big cat industry since Joe Exotic went behind bars, but also revisits the mysteries of the past - including that of Don Lewis.

Joe Exotic.
Netflix

It also promises new 'revelations' as the endlessly boggling saga of competitive zookeepers develops with a dark twist.

A synopsis says: "With Joe Exotic behind bars and Carole Baskin closing in on ownership of his disreputable zoo, the Emmy-nominated saga continues its twisted course with Tiger King 2 as newfound revelations emerge on the motivations, backstories, and secrets of America's most notorious big cat owners.

"Old enemies and frenemies, including Jeff Lowe, Tim Stark, Allen Glover, and James Garretson return for another season of murder, mayhem, and madness. Thought you knew the whole story? Just you wait."

Tiger King 2 is available to watch on Netflix now.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Ira M. Lockhart

Topics: Tiger King, Entertainment, TV and Film, Carole Baskin