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November 12, 2009 9:46 AM

Oprah: Chimp Victim Charla Nash (Warning Graphic Pictures) Says She Doesn't Remember Attack

Posted by Sammy Rose Saltzman
(family photo)
Photo: Charla Nash before the attack.

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) Charla Nash, who was mauled by a 200-pound chimpanzee in February, said she doesn't remember the vicious attack, nor does she want to.

PICTURES: Chimp Victim Charla Nash (Warning Graphic Images)

"I want to get healthy," she said on Wednesday's episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show." "I don't want to wake up with nightmares."

Nash, who is blind and has to eat through a straw, told Winfrey that she isn't angry.

"I don't even think about it," Nash said on the show. "And there's no time for that anyways because I need to heal, you know, not look backwards."

WARNING GRAPHIC PHOTO BEYOND THIS POINT

Winfrey removed Nash's hat and veil to reveal her face, which was swollen and damaged beyond recognition. She had two gaping sockets where her eyes once were, a large scar near the bottom of her face and a huge piece of flesh transplanted onto her face where her nose had been.

(Oprah.com)
Photo: Charla Nash revealed her disfigured face on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
PICTURES: Chimp Victim Charla Nash (Warning Graphic Images)

The Feb. 16 attack occurred when the animal's owner, Sandra Herold, asked Nash, her friend and employee, to help lure the animal back into her house in Stamford, Conn. The chimpanzee, which reportedly was on Xanax, ripped off Nash's hands, nose, lips and eyelids in a horrific 12-minute attack.

Police shot and killed the animal. Nash has been hospitalized since. She remains in stable condition at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Her family has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Herold and is considering a larger suit against the state of Connecticut.

PICTURES: Chimp Victim Charla Nash (Warning Graphic Images)

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
November, 11, 2009 - Charla Nash Pictures After Attack: Eyes, Hands, Mouth Gone, But Will to Live Carries On
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Add a Comment See all 17 Comments
by bann65 November 14, 2009 5:46 PM EST
Why do these biased networks keep putting Oprah out there?! The woman is a racist. I never watch her and never will and that goes for so many others. The only reason she got where she is, is because she's a minority. Catering to this woman is not normal.
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by nichellehorton November 20, 2009 1:46 PM EST
How dare you say Oprah is a racist? I wonder why the other 99% of people in the world don't agree with you? Could it be because you are racist? Oprah has done so much for all cultures. Somep people just hate to see a minority doing better is all.
by aronnonolondon November 14, 2009 11:32 AM EST
For what good reason other than exploitation of a victim and the need for increased ratings did Oprah Winfrey have to put this poor woman on national television? She has been through enough in her life!

Oprah should get a life and stick to commentary on news and events that really matter to all and not just to the few who are eager for sensational TV.
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by nichellehorton November 20, 2009 1:50 PM EST
I don't think Oprah coerced this woman into going on national television. Have you ever stopped to think that maybe this woman wanted to share her story. GEEZ...... I think people that always have negative comments need lives.
by Lastly November 14, 2009 9:15 AM EST
Such a beautiful woman to have this happen. All of her pictures show her looking so happy before this happened. Which is great because a person needs to draw from a positive/happy place to get through something like this. Sure hope this woman has some really good family and friends that stick with her for the long haul so she's not left on her own to fend for herself after all this hoopla is over and the media forgets about her like so many. It's hard enough getting along on your own, but how will she even work, especially early on to afford paying her normal bills housing, utilities, food, etc,,, let alone pay for something like this. Just the adjustment has to be extremely difficult.

Be serious does anyone really think that even $50 million will pay for even some medical care to help her mentally or physically. I doubt $50,000,000.00 will cover the cost to fix/replace/repair anything she lost or compensate her for what has happened even if it was work related??? How much have the medical bills added up to so far and how much more money will be needed before it burns through $50 million quickly and she may need continual care throughout the remainder of her life. Plus prescriptions, transportation, personal care (remember she's blind and has no hands) clothing requirements, nutritional requirements/food, retrofitting her home, and so much more.

I doubt even worker's comp would go along with this lawyer's idea of what's fair compensation. Too bad the chimp didn't do this to the the owner or her lawyer then you'd see what amount would be considered really fair compensation. To think the chimps owner feels like she's suffering because of this, at least she can look in a mirror and pick up things, how ridiculous to think that she's suffering. Doesn't even sound like she feels bad, well, she does, but only for herself/her situation. Did she even provide insurance for her employee and was chimp care and wrangling part of her job description??? Was this minimum wage or???? So many questions...

Does the state require people that have dangerous pets to maintain a high payout insurance policy??? If not, it should be mandatory... you can't buy or have a dangerous pet without buying/keeping a pet like this. But then who decides what's dangerous. At least should be you have to show proof of insurance like a car before buying or getting something like this. I mean they require people to have auto insurance, force seniors to have added health care and are on the verge of requiring 100% participation of everyone to pay for/buy health insurance even if they can't afford it.

So many more thoughts on this, but think I'll leave it to the rest of you.
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by xicodude November 14, 2009 12:21 AM EST
How can a small business owner possible come up with 50 million or more? Why sue the state? This is one reason why we need a public option health plan.
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by CompletelyFrustrated November 13, 2009 1:47 PM EST
I commend Charla Nash for doing this! The dish rag papers are already offering big bucks for photos, she busted all of those who took pictures when she was not aware and stopped them dead in their tracks - she chose when her "face" was to be revealed not some money-grubbing sensationalist.

No wild animal can be trusted, I feel sorry for her that she let her guard down and this happened and the owner should pay and so should those officials who did not act on warnings! Keeping an exotic pet doe snot mean keep them so jacked up on Xanax (or other sedative type drugs) that they can't function - that is no life.

I hope she does get a healthy sum of money she will need care for the rest of her life for trying to help her boss/friend who could not control her own "pet".
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by crystalblue3 November 13, 2009 1:27 PM EST
Seeing this breaks my heart. I feel badly for her and for the chimp as well.
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by Omnivorous November 13, 2009 1:22 PM EST
Sorry for the chimpout, but you knew what the monkey/mate of this woman was like when around you.

Your fault and own stupidity and now you want 150 million in taxpayer money?

Oprah is the biggest freak show of all in this.
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by repforbarack November 13, 2009 10:58 AM EST
50 million ain't enough!
Reply to this comment
by Dgunner November 13, 2009 10:27 AM EST
I spent three years in east africa with a UN detachment. I have seen chimps rip the doors off trucks and cars both . yes even a volvo.
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by magnumfinger November 13, 2009 12:43 AM EST
Was it really necessary?

looking at the video and how the face of charla nash (the 55 year old girl who got her face ripped-off by a chimpanzee) was really gruesome and one may think that Oprah may gone a little bit too far for the interview.

The person was already under in veil, wouldn't it be better if she stays in that way? rather than getting it unveiled for Public Watching.

Link: http://bit.ly/charla-nash-horrible-pictures-and-her-oprah-interview
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