Joe Exotic fans send well wishes after he was diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ cancer

Joe Exotic has revealed that his prostate cancer is “aggressive”, as he again calls for his release from prison.

A hand-written letter sharing the news of his health was posted on the Tiger King star’s Instagram on Wednesday amid fresh pleas to be released.

The 58-year-old, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, wrote: “Everyone, it is with a sad face that I have to tell you the doctors called me in today to break the news that my prostate biopsy came back with an aggressive cancer, I am still waiting on the results from other tests as well.

“Right now I don’t want anyone’s pity and I’m sure Carole [Baskin] will have her own party over this!”

He previously revealed he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer on 14 May.

Exotic’s attorney John M Phillips confirmed the news, telling his 17,000 Twitter followers that the pair were in tears on Monday when they spoke.

In his letter, Exotic added that he wanted to go home to receive his treatment “to enjoy what life [he has] left behind with [his] loved ones”.

He signed off: “Say a prayer please. Be my voice please.”

Since revealing the diagnosis people have taken to Twitter and Instagram to share their well-wishes.

Hundreds responded on Instagram, including actress McKenzie Westmore who wrote: “I’m heartbroken but Joe I’m sending prayers” along with a heart and praying emoji.

Countless others also said they were sending prayers his way.

The controversial tiger trader is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence after being found guilty of hiring two different hitmen to kill Carole Baskin, another big cat owner, and for violating federal wildlife laws.

He previously appealed to former president Donald Trump to be exonerated and was so confident Trump would pardon him in January that he had a limo wait outside the prison. 

Current president Joe Biden has also reportedly been contacted by Exotic.

The 2020 docu-series Tiger King told the story of Exotic and Baskin’s rivalry and it also looked into the disappearance of Baskin’s first husband, Don Lewis.

Baskin recently sued Netflix over Tiger King 2 as she claims the footage in season two is not new and argues that producers are spinning it to look as though she’s given “new interviews or insight”.