A pastor known for handling snakes and appearing on reality TV met a tragic end after being bitten by a rattlesnake and refusing medical treatment.
Jamie Coots, hailing from Kentucky, was featured on National Geographic’s “Snake Salvation,” where he emphasized that handling serpents was a testament to believers’ faith and protection by God. Despite previous injuries and witnessing fatalities from snake bites, Coots persisted in his practice of snake handling, citing his religious conviction.
Coots’ interpretation of a passage in the Gospel of Mark, which speaks of believers being unharmed by serpents, led to his demise in February 2014. Following a snakebite during a church service, emergency services were called, but Coots had left for home. Despite attempts to reach him, he remained steadfast in his faith and was later found deceased.
Witnesses described how Coots was bitten while handling a rattlesnake, leading to his rapid decline. His son shared that Coots had survived previous bites but not this time, highlighting the suddenness and severity of the incident. Coots had faced legal issues in the past due to his possession of venomous snakes and defiance of laws regarding their ownership.
Despite the tragic outcome, Coots’ followers are expected to view him as a martyr who died for his beliefs, fueling continued adherence to the practice of snake handling. National Geographic expressed respect for Coots’ unwavering faith and the risks he took in pursuing his religious practices.
The tradition of snake handling, also observed in West Virginia for over a century, remains shrouded in secrecy, with pastors typically keeping their services private and exclusive.