But later that day, when Sandra’s friend Charla came calling for afternoon tea, Travis reacted in a terrifying way. What happened next left his owner in shock, and left Chandra fighting for her life. Now, six years after the attack, she’s still fighting, but facing new struggles every day…
In 2016, Nash’s body began to reject the face transplant as well. This was only after doctors tried weaning her off anti-rejection drugs of course. This reduction was actually part of a military study Nash had been a part of to determine whether patients who receive transplants can safely taper off the medications. According to Charla, she was more than happy to help if it means others will benefit from what her doctors learn. Meanwhile, she is still trying to find justice for what was done to her…
On May 25, 2010, Sandra Herold died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm at the age of 72. She had lost her daughter in a car crash, her husband soon after, her beloved Travis, and of course her best friend, Charla Nash. All that while, Charla had been trying feverishly to recover something from Sandra in terms of financial restitution for the horrible attack at her Chimp’s hands…with little success.
Finally, in November 2012, Nash reached a settlement with Herold’s estate. She received approximately $4 million in damages. She also tried to sue the State of Connecticut as well, citing that they knew the animal was dangerous and did nothing about it, but the claim was denied. Her attorney has since tried to appeal the decision on the grounds that Travis should have been taken off of the property long before he became violent.
Travis was not your normal chimpanzee. Sandra Herold had gotten Travis from a baby and raised him among humans all of his life. Because of this, Travis’ behavior was very influenced by human beings. He ate at the table, drank wine with his surrogate “mom”, enjoyed baths and cuddles and was an all-around happy, well-adjusted primate.
