News about Jeff's tragic death started making the rounds on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. But the infamous reptile dealer shot himself to death months earlier, on Sept. 8, 2021, following a heated argument with his wife in the garage of their Oklahoma home. Jeff reportedly killed himself in front of his wife. Their kids were at home too.

Jeff's wife immediately called 911. When the ambulance arrived on the scene, the Tiger King star still had a pulse. He was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital, per The Independent.

Jeff appeared in Season 1, Episode 4 of Tiger King. Once close friends with Joe, he and the star started drifting apart after Jeff Lowe entered the picture.