Family of Carole Baskin’s Missing Ex-Husband Offers $100K Reward For Information Regarding His Disappearance; Attorney Plans To Take Legal Action Against Baskin

Twenty-three years after his disappearance, the family of Don Lewis is still searching for answers that could lead to what happened to the founder of Big Cat Rescue. The daughters of Lewis are now offering a $100k reward, given by an anonymous donor, to anyone who has any information on the case.

“We’re hoping that with this fund, someone would have the courage to come forth and provide the information necessary to solve this case,” one of Don’s daughters stated in a press conference.

Rumors of his presumed cause of death were ignited earlier this year (March 2020) after the release of Netflix’s Tiger King, which detailed Joe Exotic’s allegations that Baskin killed him.

Alongside attorney John Phillips and family spokesperson Jack Smith, Don’s 3 daughters announced that there are a series of actions that have been set in motion to get more details on Don’s disappearance, which occurred on August 18, 1997, after he left his Tampa home.

His daughters say that their hope of learning what happened to their father lies within the hands of a cold case group, led by Smith. They also believe that Phillips is the best lawyer to have to handle Don’s case.

“We had lost all hope of ever knowing what happened to dad, but through the efforts of River Jack and his team, hope is being restored,” she said.

As part of their new tactic, 4 billboards have been posted across Tampa displaying, “Who Murdered Don Lewis?”. The reward amount is listed below the phrase and the contact information for anyone who has information on Don’s disappearance.

The team leader Smith, says that the team originated on Facebook to search for clues, which, according to TMZ, he has already begun receiving.

In fact, according to the publication, the group uncovered a discrepancy between the “details about a septic tank installation [reportedly] connected to the case” and what Baskin had mentioned about it. In the press conference, they announced that they would not be sharing any more evidence at this time.

However, it was also revealed that Phillip plans to sue Baskin for wrongful death, even though Baskin has denied having any involvement in her husband’s disappearance.

But his family hopes that their new plan leads to a break in the case, resulting in justice for Don. His organization Big Cat Rescue is now owned and being operated under Baskin.