Pastor Dies Following Rattlesnake Bite During Church Ritual
A Kentucky pastor known for handling venomous snakes during religious services has died after being bitten by a rattlesnake and refusing medical treatment. Jamie Coots, 42, was a prominent figure featured on National Geographic's reality television series 'Snake Salvation'.
Unshakeable Faith in the Face of Danger
Coots held a deep-rooted conviction that serpents would not harm true believers who were anointed by God. This belief was drawn from a passage in the Bible's Mark's gospel, which states: 'They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.'
Despite previous close calls, including losing half a finger and witnessing other congregants die from snake bites, Coots continued his dangerous practice. He regularly handled a variety of poisonous snakes, such as copperheads, rattlesnakes, and cottonmouths, as part of his worship.
The Fatal Incident and Aftermath
The tragic event occurred in February 2014 during a service at his church. According to fellow preacher Cody Winn, Coots was holding a rattlesnake when it suddenly turned and bit him on the back of his hand. He dropped the snake but then picked it up again immediately after.
An ambulance was called to the scene, but paramedics were informed that Coots had already returned home. Emergency services contacted him there, but he remained steadfast in his faith, refusing treatment. They returned to his house later that evening, where he was pronounced dead.
His son, Cody Coots, revealed that his father had survived eight previous snake bites. He told local media that the family expected a similar recovery this time, but the reaction was unexpectedly swift and severe.
Legacy and Legal History
Professor Ralph Hood from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga suggested that Coots's death would likely inspire others within the secretive snake-handling tradition, which dates back over a century and is also practised in West Virginia. A friend of Coots stated that followers would see him as a martyr and continue the practice.
Coots had a history of legal issues related to his faith. In February 2013, he received a one-year probation sentence for transporting venomous snakes into Tennessee. He was also arrested in 2008 for keeping 74 venomous snakes in his home.
Following his death, National Geographic spokeswoman Stephanie Montgomery paid tribute, saying they were 'constantly struck by his devout religious convictions despite the health and legal peril he often faced.' She expressed that their thoughts were with his family.
