Ronald Poppo, the Miami 'zombie attack' victim, who had his face atrociously savaged last Saturday, will take several months to recover but unfortunately his face will remain permanently disfigured.
Although experts have informed that facial reconstruction is possible, things for Poppo will never be the same. Facial surgeries as such are not simple procedures and with it come the daunting high price tags.
Dade County will reportedly pay the bill that may end up in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for Poppo who was a homeless man for more than three decades before suffering cannibal-style attack.
"It can easily cost $100,000 to $200,000 for the surgeries that will get his face back," surgeon Dr. Michael Salzhauer of Bal Harbour Plastic Surgery in Miami, told Radar. Poppo on Tuesday, still remained in critical condition and his current health status is yet to be known.
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If decisions to move forward with the surgeries are, Poppo may get a hand from a fundraising campaign that was launched for the sake of helping him pay the various medical bills and expenses issued. The campaign gathered approximately $500 dollars on May 30, its first day. On May 31st, that amount rose to $2000. The goal of this campaign is to raise at least $50,000 and as of now, there is still $48,000 more to go until August 31st--the day the campaign ends. (Campaign viewable here: https://www.giveforward.com/ronaldpopporecovery)
The Jackson Memorial Foundation also announced on Thursday the opening of a fund to help Mr. Poppo, who is staying at the affiliated Jackson Memorial Hosiptal. Donations can be made online at this website: https://www.jmf.org/take-action-now/donations/ (Under 'Other', write 'Ronald Poppo').
New details of Ronald, the victim, including the fact that he attended the prestigious Stuyvesant High School in New York City from which he graduated in 1964 and his yearbook surfaced thanks to the Miami New Times.
To add to the background, Antoinette Poppo, Ronald's sister, told CBS Miami that she had thought he had committed suicide after several attempts to reach him. She also commented on Poppo being a smart student. "I remember a very intelligent boy. He went to a private school, and I really don't understand what happened," she told CBS.
On May 26, authorities say that Rudy Eugene tore off at least 80 percent of Poppo's face in a gory and unprovoked incident that was described as a "bloodbath". Poppo's face in the end had his mouth, nose, eyes, and ears missing after the attack.
Eugene, the aggressor, took to Poppo's face for a total of 18 minutes. It could've lasted longer if it wasn't for Miami-Dade police officer, Jose Rivera, who finally gunned him down. Eugene was shot multiple times in the back and died at the scene.
Certain delusion-causing-drugs like "bath salts" may have played a role in causing Eugene to act like a crazy animal suspect the police.
"Bath salts" are known for inducing people to lose their judgment and/or become very violent. In this case, Eugene seemed to be under a similar influence since police Armando Aguilar, told CNN that Eugene growled like a wild beast when he was told to back away.
The attack was likened to a "zombie apocalypse" style attack by various media agencies since it poses, arguably, as the goriest story the U.S. has learned for some time now.
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The entire attack was captured on tape by surveillance cameras of nearby buildings including the Miami Herald's.
What was Rudy Eugene, the aggressor, like? Someone "not really with a mental sickness but somewhat paranoid" was what his ex-wife, Jenny Ductant, told WPLG-TV.
Toxicology tests on Rudy Eugene will be announced two weeks later and it is expected that these may help shed some better light on what caused Eugene to act in such irrational and disgusting manner.
The donation website for Poppo states:
"For Ronald Poppo, the victim of the gruesome "zombie" attack in Miami. He has experienced savagery, let him now experience humanity."
Donation website: https://www.giveforward.com/ronaldpopporecovery
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