Miami Cannibal Attack Victim Ronald Poppo May Get Face Transplant
Ronald Poppo, the 65-year-old victim of the brutal cannibalistic attack last month, may receive a face transplant in the future. That was one of the issues discussed by doctors at a press conference held today at the Jackson Memorial Hospital.
First pictures of the victim recovering were released, showing him walking with staff members of the hospital. More details about Poppo's wounds emerged as well. There were two holes found in Poppo's chest which might be the result of gunshots fired off by the policeman who killed Rudy Eugene to stop his brutal attack.
Doctors have not confirmed whether the holes were indeed bullet wounds. Poppo is reportedly alert and well, even talking about the NBA finals game which is on tonight. He reportedly told doctors, "Go Heat!" He is expected to stay in the hospital's trauma center for weeks.
Poppo received numerous skin grafts for his injuries. Skin has been grafted over his left eye, which had been gouged out by Rudy Eugene. The other eye is patched up with a band-aid. It is not certain whether he will regain his eyesight on the right eye. Doctors have hailed his recovery as miraculous.
Initial autopsy reports on Rudy Eugene saw no sign of human flesh in his system, but he was found to have flesh stuck between his teeth. Instead, he was found to have undigested pills in his stomach which have yet to be identified.
Further toxicology tests will indicate what drugs Rudy had taken prior to the attack. Officials believe he may have been high on bath salts.
Meanwhile, Eugene's funeral was held on Saturday, surrounded by friends and family. They remembered the man as a person who believed in God and recited Bible verses. Reports revealed that he had actually been carrying a Bible with him on the day of the attack. According to CBS News Miami, pages torn from his Bible were found on the scene of the crime.
The victim has not had any visits from family, despite his long-lost daughter's revelation that Poppo was her father. Janice Poppo DiBello, of New Jersey, recently found out that her father was the victim of the horrific attack. However, she had not seen him since her parents divorced when she was just two years old.
A fund for Poppo was set up by Jackson Memorial Hospital. $15,000 has been raised so far.
Donations can be made at the Jackson Memorial Foundation website, www.jmf.org.
