Colorado Man Dies from Rare Gila Monster Bite

Christopher Ward's death marks the first known fatal incident since 1930, sparking investigations and raising concerns about venomous pet ownership.

A Colorado man, Christopher Ward, died after being bitten by his pet Gila monster, a venomous lizard, in a rare incident.
The bite occurred on February 12, and Ward died four days later, marking the first known fatal Gila monster bite since 1930.
Ward illegally owned two Gila monsters without a license in Lakewood, Colorado.
Toxicology testing and venom analysis are underway to determine the exact cause of Ward's death.
Experts emphasize the importance of respecting venomous animals and the risks associated with keeping them as pets.