A tragic incident unfolded in Lakewood, Colorado, as 34-year-old Christopher Ward passed away after being bitten by his pet Gila monster named Winston. Ward's girlfriend discovered the venomous lizard latched onto his hand, leading to a series of events that culminated in his death in the hospital on Friday. Ward had been on life support for several days after the attack, ultimately being declared brain-dead five days later.

The Jefferson County coroner's officials are investigating the cause of death, yet to confirm if it was due to the lizard's venom or an unrelated medical issue. The victim's girlfriend recounted the harrowing moment she found Winston biting Ward's hand, resulting in him exhibiting severe symptoms and eventually passing out.

Following the tragic incident, the girlfriend surrendered the two Gila monsters, Winston and Potato, as well as 26 spiders from their residence to Lakewood Animal Control. The illegal Gila monsters were sent to Reptile Gardens in South Dakota, while the spiders were rehomed at an animal shelter. Gila monsters are known for their venomous bites, capable of causing extreme pain and loss of consciousness, with no available antivenom for their venom. If confirmed, Ward's death from the Gila monster's bite would be an exceptionally rare fatality within the lizard species.