"Snake Salvation" star and preacher Jamie Coots has died of a snakebite after refusing medical attention, CNN confirmed.
The Pentecostal preacher was allegedly attacked during a Feb. 15 service with his congregation in Middlesboro, Ky. He was bitten on the right hand, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. Emergency personnel were called to the church around 8:30 p.m., but Coots had already gone home by the time they arrived.
They attempted to treat him at his house and warned him of the dangers, but he refused to go to the hospital. Authorities later received a call indicating he had died.
Coots was the pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name church in Middlesboro, according to ABC affiliate WATE. He and his family were featured on the National Geographic reality show, "Snake Salvation."
The reality series focused on believers in a particular Bible passage that suggests poisonous snakebites won't harm those anointed by God. Coots previously lost half a finger to a bite and was arrested for keeping 74 snakes in his home. Although the snake-handling practice is illegal in most states, it is still goes on in areas like the rural South, CNN noted.
“When you feel the anointing and God moves on you to take up serpents, even if one of ‘em lays fangs into you, you shall not be harmed," one of the show's co-stars, Andrew Hamblin, told Buzzfeed in a recent interview.
National Geographic released a statement on Coots' death to Deadline.com, saying:
Watch Coots in the National Geographic clip below.
The Pentecostal preacher was allegedly attacked during a Feb. 15 service with his congregation in Middlesboro, Ky. He was bitten on the right hand, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. Emergency personnel were called to the church around 8:30 p.m., but Coots had already gone home by the time they arrived.
They attempted to treat him at his house and warned him of the dangers, but he refused to go to the hospital. Authorities later received a call indicating he had died.
Coots was the pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name church in Middlesboro, according to ABC affiliate WATE. He and his family were featured on the National Geographic reality show, "Snake Salvation."
The reality series focused on believers in a particular Bible passage that suggests poisonous snakebites won't harm those anointed by God. Coots previously lost half a finger to a bite and was arrested for keeping 74 snakes in his home. Although the snake-handling practice is illegal in most states, it is still goes on in areas like the rural South, CNN noted.
“When you feel the anointing and God moves on you to take up serpents, even if one of ‘em lays fangs into you, you shall not be harmed," one of the show's co-stars, Andrew Hamblin, told Buzzfeed in a recent interview.
National Geographic released a statement on Coots' death to Deadline.com, saying:
National Geographic joins his family, friends and community in mourning the loss of Pastor Jamie Coots. In following Pastor Coots for our series Snake Salvation, we were constantly struck by his devout religious convictions despite the health and legal peril he often faced. Those risks were always worth it to him and his congregants as a means to demonstrate their unwavering faith. We were honored to be allowed such unique access to Pastor Jamie and his congregation during the course of our show, and give context to his method of worship. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
Watch Coots in the National Geographic clip below.
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