Over the Memorial Day Weekend, a homeless man’s face was notoriously chewed off by a man believed to be on the drug bath salts. Doctors have released new information and photos of Ronald Poppo, and they are happy to report he is doing “well”, but in need of more surgery. They said approximately 50% of his face is missing, and that the “charming” Poppo both remembers the attack and understands that he is in hospital. More details and the graphic photos below.
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(HP) – “We have mental health professionals to help him with the coping, and he’s coping remarkably well,” said plastic surgeon Dr. Wrood Kassira, who along with JMH/University of Miami trauma physician Dr. Nicholas Namias is part of the medical team treating Poppo. The 65-year-old victim reportedly had a message to give to the public when doctors visited with him this morning: “Go Heat!”
Poppo, who is believed to have been homeless in Miami since the mid-to-late 1970s, is covered by Medicare and Medicaid, according to the Miami Herald. He was lazing on the MacArthur Causeway’s westbound Biscayne Boulevard exit ramp sidewalk May 26 when attacked in broad daylight by naked 31-year-old North Miami resident Rudy Eugene, who was caught on surveillance camera trying to strip off Poppo’s clothes before brutalizing his face.
A police officer responding to multiple 911 calls from drivers and cyclists shot and killed Eugene when he reportedly ignored orders to stop chewing Poppo’s face. An autopsy reportedly allegedly discovered Poppo’s flesh in the so called “Miami Cannibal”‘s mouth, but not in his stomach. Police have speculated that Eugene may have been under the influence of a synthetic drug, but a full toxicology report is still pending.
