BiographyBlog

Charlotte Charla Nash: Worst Animal Attack Survivor

Charlotte Charla Nash is a woman who was severely injured in a 2009 chimpanzee attack in Stamford, Connecticut. She was blinded, lost both hands and her nose, and suffered other injuries as a result of the attack. The chimpanzee, named Travis, was shot and killed by police following the incident.

Nash’s injuries have required multiple surgeries and she has undergone extensive rehabilitation. The attack and its aftermath have been widely covered in the media.

Who is Charla Nash?

Charla Nash with her chimpanzee
Image by CBS News

Charla Nash was a chronic visitor to Herold’s house as the pair had been friends for many years. On Feb 16, 2009, she was visiting the duo when Travis escaped the house with Herold’s car keys. She lived in Stamford, Conn.

Nash held out his favorite toy, a Tickle Me Elmo doll to lure him back into the home.

What happened to Charla nash?

In February 2009, 14-year-old chimpanzee Travis attacked Charla Nash, a friend of the woman who “owned” him. He tore off her nose, ears, and hands, and blinded her as his owner, Sandra Herold, frantically beat him, stabbed him, and called the police. When they arrived at her home in Connecticut, they shot Travis and he was dead.

Charla Nash’s Injuries

Charla Nash Injuries by chimpanzee attack
Injuries by chimpanzee attack

Charla’s injury was stupendous. Travis had bitten or torn away her eyelids, nose, lips, and jaws. He removed one of her hands and virtually all of the others.

Did Charla Nash get a face transplant?

A Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) plastic and orthopedic surgery team, led by Dr. Bohdan Pomahac, performed a full face transplant on Charla Nash, the Connecticut woman who was attacked by a chimpanzee in 2009.

When was Charlotte Charla attacked?

On February 16, 2009, tragedy struck when Travis the Chimp, a chimpanzee who had gained national celebrity over the years, viciously attacked his owner’s close friend, Charla Nash. Travis’ behavior had become increasingly erratic, and the attack left Nash severely disfigured and Travis dead.

Charla Nash before the attack

Charla Nasha's face before, after and remake
Charla Nasha’s face before, after and remake

She was absolutely fine before the attack by Travis, she has a pretty smile and a smiley face like an average person. Charla Nash asserts that she has always been a survivor, and she required all of her courage when she was attacked by a friend’s chimpanzee and suffered horrific injuries.

Charla Nash after the attack

Three days after the attack, in critical condition, she was flown from Stamford to the Cleveland Clinic, where she would undergo 15 months of intervention. Nine months after the attack, on Charla Nash’s 56th birthday.

After horrible attack

After this terrifying incident, she now listens to audiobooks and music, but she is still blind from the attack. She may not have lost her life but the woman she was in is all gone. But still, she has remained positive about their recovery and hopes that her surgeries could helpful to soldiers who face similar damages in the future.

“Don’t this about the past and what has happened,” she offered as advice. “Think about what you’re going to be, going forward, and what you want to do next. Never give up.”   

Charla Nash’s face reveal

Nasha's Face Reveal
Nasha’s Face Reveal

On her 56th birthday, she revealed her face live on Oprah Winfrey’s show in what is now recognized as one of television’s most extraordinary moments. In the year since, she has undergone several reconstructive surgeries, including her face transplant.  

Charla Nash 2009

In February 2009, 14-year-old chimpanzee Travis attacked Nash, a friend of the woman who owned him. He tore off her nose, ears, and hands. Sandra Herold (Charla’s friend), frantically beat him and call the police. When they arrived at her home in Connecticut, they shoot Travis dead.  

Where is nash today?

These days Nash lives on her own in a small apartment close to Brigham and Women’s. She has an aide to help her Monday through Friday but manages on her own on the weekends, which is very important to her. “I’ve always been independent,” she said.

Is Charla Nash still alive?

This news shocked a lot of people, She died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm at the age of 72.
 she received the nation’s first double hand and face transplant from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, where she lived. She has a daughter named Briana who has stayed by her mom’s side through the whole difficulties.

Is Sandra Herold Alive in 2023?

No, she died on May 24, 2010, in Stamford, United States. Sandra Herold died on Monday night of a ruptured aortic aneurysm, her attorney, Robert Golger, said. She owned Travis, the 200-pound celebrity chimp that went berserk on Feb.

Did Nash win her lawsuit?

Chimpanzee attack victim Charla Nash wins $ 4 million compensation from the owner of an animal who ripped her face off. The woman who lost her eyesight, lips, nose, and hands when a chimpanzee mauled her in 2009 has been given $ 4 million compensation by the estate of the animal’s now-dead owner.

Sandra Herold

She was born on May 8, 1983, in Stamford, Connecticut, US. Sandra Herold, the Connecticut woman whose 200-pound pet chimpanzee, Travis, attacked and critically injured Herold’s friend Charla Nash last February, died Monday. Herold’s attorney told the Associated Press that his client died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm.

Can Charla see?

After a 200-pound chimp mauled off parts of her face and hands, leaving her permanently blind, Charla Nash achieved the unthinkable by undergoing a successful face transplant about five years ago. “Travis the chimp victim” was shot down by the police at the moment to save Nasha’s life.

Animals like chimpanzees and foxes are wild and should not be considered pets, what are your thoughts – Comment below.

In this blog, we learn one thing and that is Never Give Up. I hope you will enjoy this article.

Last Updated on January 25, 2023

Faizan Jutt
Faizan is a wordsmith extraordinaire from the vibrant city of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Armed with a Bachelor's degree from the esteemed University of Faisalabad, he set out to conquer the world of words. With over 2 years of experience under his belt, Faizan has established himself as a master storyteller, weaving tales that transport readers to far-off lands and leave them with a newfound appreciation for the power of language.

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