Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister told CNN that the show has generated a lot of new interest in the case. His office is receiving about six tips a day, he said.
“We are already receiving new tips and we hope to close this cold case soon with the help of the public,” Chronister told CNN. “Since the documentary came out we’ve been receiving about six tips a day related to this case. We are looking into each one thoroughly.”
He also posted a new call for information on his personal Twitter account.
“Since @netflix and #Covid19 #Quarantine has made #TigerKing all the rage, I figured it was a good time to ask for new leads,” he wrote. He tweeted a poster with information about Lewis and encouraged anyone with information to call the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number.
Oklahoma zoo owner “Joe Exotic,” who’s serving a 22-year prison sentence for his role in the Baskin murder-for-hire plot and other charges has repeatedly accused Baskin of killing her husband and feeding his body to the tigers at her animal rescue center.
Lewis was last seen on August 18, 1997, according to the sheriff’s post.
“Like any case at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office we want to bring closure to the families involved and the community. We are seeing greater interest in this case thanks to Tiger King and we encourage anyone who knows something to call 813-247-8200,” Chronister said.