There had been warning signs before. Back in 2003, Travis escaped from Sandra’s car and caused chaos by holding up traffic at a busy intersection — he remained on the loose for several hours.

Charla claimed that authorities were well aware of Travis’s dangerous behavior but failed to act. Although her legal claim was ultimately denied, her bravery ignited a national conversation about the risks of keeping exotic animals as pets.

Sandra’s death

Charla’s family attorney filed a $50 million lawsuit against Sandra Herold. In November 2012, Charla reached a settlement with Sandra’s estate, securing approximately $4 million in compensation.

Sandra died just 15 months after the brutal chimpanzee attack. She passed away died unexpectedly from a ruptured aortic aneurysm at the age of 72. Her attorney, Robert Golger, shared a poignant statement following her passing:

”Ms. Herold had suffered a series of heartbreaking losses over the last several years, beginning with the death of her first and only daughter who was killed in a car accident, then her husband, then her beloved chimp, Travis, as well as the tragic maiming of friend and employee Charla Nash. In the end, her heart, which had been broken so many times before, could take no more.”