Lewis family lawyer John Phillips announced the probe during a monthly conference that was also attended by Lewis’ family members on Monday. During his statement, Phillips revealed that his legal team had filed a case to force Baskin to speak on the case on the plate.
“Justice is spelled one way, but defined in many different ways,” Phillips said in a statement. “After the meeting with the family, justice for them is defined primarily by responses to what happened to Lewis, but also includes a full and open criminal investigation and the taking of statements under oath and sentencing.”
Phillips asked Baskin if anyone else to come forward with information.
“Resolving this issue is in everyone’s best interests,” Phillips said at the Riverhills Church of God in Tampa.
Baskin continues to deny that she had any involvement.
In an email to local WFLA news outlet, Baskin set up the investigation into the Lewis family’s investigation.
“I believe it is a publicity stunt orchestrated by (family spokesman) Jack Smith to support his views on YouTube, but hope that all of Tiger King’s attention and follow-up will result in our finding of Don,” she wrote.
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Lewis disappeared on the morning of August 18, 1997, after leaving his home in Tampa. Two days later, his van was found 40 miles away. Police found no signs of foul play.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office investigated and even flew to Costa Rica where Lewis owned, but there was no sign of him.
Years later, most of his estate was left to Baskin.
“Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness” debuted on March 20 – a documentary full of dysfunction and corruption among a cast of emerging characters.
The series explores the esoteric world of big cat collectors and their rivalry with animal protectors. One such feud developed between Baskin and an Oklahoma pet named Joe Exotic.
Years of revenge between the two eventually led to a failed plot for murder-for-hire and a lengthy federal prison sentence for Exotic.
The series was watched by more than 34 million people in the first 10 days of release, according to Nielsen estimates.
