This is the ex-boyfriend Tiger King’s Carole Baskin tried to evict before he filed a restraining order against her, claiming she told him ‘dead bodies can not talk’ in reference to her missing husband.
Jay Baykal, 67, filed for his petition on October 18, 2002, claiming he was in fear of his life – just two days after Baskin had filed eviction papers against him, according to documents seen by DailyMail.com.
The textile buyer listed his address as Baskin’s home in Tampa, Florida, stating he was a joint owner of the property, and noted he was wary of Baskin’s two loaded handguns, which she kept in her truck and the home.
In his written statement, Baykal wrote: ‘I honestly fear I am in danger of death or serious bodily injury because her prior husband is missing and presumed dead.’
Baskin’s second husband Don Lewis vanished without a trace in 1997. A few months before his disappearance, he had also filed a restraining order against Baskin, claiming his much younger wife had threatened to kill him on two separate occasions and that she had hidden his gun.
Tiger King’s Carole Baskin tried to evict her live-in boyfriend Jay Baykal in October 2002, according to documents obtained by DailyMail.com. The textile buyer listed his address as Baskin’s home in Tampa, Florida, stating he was a joint owner of the property, and noted he was wary of Baskin’s two loaded handguns, which she kept in her truck and the home
Jay Baykal, 67, filed for his petition on October 18, 2002, claiming he was in fear of his life – just two days after Baskin had filed eviction papers against him, according to documents seen by DailyMail.com
Baskin’s second husband Don Lewis (pictured together) vanished without a trace in 1997. A few months before his disappearance, he had also filed a restraining order against Baskin, claiming his much younger wife had threatened to kill him on two separate occasions
Baykal’s request for a restraining order was first uncovered by author Robert Moor, who spent four years covering the drama between Baskin and Joe Exotic, former owner of Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park and who is serving 22 years in prison in part for a plot to kill Baskin.
DailyMail.com has learned that in addition to attempting to evict Baykal, she also filed several other petitions to evict other men from her properties throughout the years.
Interest in Lewis’ disappearance has surged in the wake of Netflix’s hit docuseries, where zoo owner Joe Exotic referenced a rumor that Baskin killed Lewis, put his remains through a meat grinder and then fed them to the big cats at her rescue center.
Due to the frenzy, the local sheriff has asked for fresh leads in Lewis’ disappearance.
Baskin has vehemently denied any involvement in Lewis’ disappearance. At the time Lewis went missing, she suggested he could have gone to Costa Rica, where he frequently traveled to.
In Baykal’s petition, he claims he asked Baskin what would happen if Lewis unexpectedly came back. He wrote her chilling response was ‘dead bodies can not talk’.
In his written statement, Baykal wrote: ‘I honestly fear I am in danger of death or serious bodily injury because her prior husband is missing and presumed dead’
In Baykal’s petition, he claims he asked Baskin what would happen if Lewis unexpectedly came back. He wrote her chilling response was ‘dead bodies can not talk’
Baykal’s request for a restraining order was denied by a judge on the grounds there were ‘no facts of violence or specific credible threat of imminent fear’. Pictured: Baskin’s petition to evict Baykal from their home
Baykal added: ‘Her former husband’s daughter told me she could be dangerous and watch my back.
‘[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 request for a restraining order was denied by a judge on the grounds there were ‘no facts of violence or specific credible threat of imminent fear’.
When DailyMail.com contacted Baykal for comment, he said, ‘Oh, shut up’ and hung up.
Baskin did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Earlier this week, a Florida sheriff said he believes Lewis was likely killed and more than one person was behind what could be a murder-for-hire plot.
Baskin met Lewis in the 1980s and they married in 1991, however they had a rocky last few years of marriage as she claimed he was obsessed with sex and had multiple affairs.
Baskin has denied any involvement in Lewis’ disappearance. At the time Lewis went missing, she suggested he could have gone to Costa Rica, where he frequently traveled to
Interest in Lewis’ disappearance has surged in the wake of Netflix’s hit docuseries, where zoo owner Joe Exotic referenced a rumor that Baskin killed Lewis, put his remains through a meat grinder and then fed them to the big cats at her rescue center. Due to the frenzy, the local sheriff has asked for fresh leads in Lewis’ disappearance
Baskin went on to meet her current husband Howard Baskin (pictured together) in November 2002 – a month after her split with Baykal – and they married in November 2004
Lewis, a real estate businessman, was declared legally dead in 2002, leaving behind $5 million in assets.
Baskin went on to meet her current husband Howard Baskin in November 2002 – a month after her split with Baykal – and they married in November 2004.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister says he believes Lewis was likely murdered and admitted he is suspicious of Baskin, but believes other people were in on the murder plot.
‘I’m extremely suspicious but not just of her, of this whole circle here,’ Chronister said to TMZ.
‘I don’t want to allude to the fact or insinuate that she’s our person of interest we’re focusing on. I’m not comfortable saying that yet,’ he added.
‘There’s normally not one person that commits a homicide, it’s always a couple people. This had to be extremely planned out, this had to be well thought out.
‘There’s someone else involved in this. There’s someone who was paid to do it, there’s someone who helped do it,’ he said.