Woman mauled by chimp remains in Cleveland Clinic

February 25, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — The brother of a woman mauled by a 200-pound chimpanzee last week was appointed her conservator Tuesday as she remains in a medically induced coma.

Michael Nash was named temporary conservator of his twin sister, Charla Nash, who was critically injured Feb. 16 when a chimp owned by her friend, Sandra Herold of Stamford, attacked her.

In the order, Stamford Probate Judge Gerald M. Fox Jr. said Nash was in grave condition at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio with serious injuries to her face, head and hands. The conservator is needed to make medical decisions after consulting with doctors, according to court papers.

Also in court papers, Michael Nash said he could protect his sister’s ability to recover damages in future litigation as her conservator.

Herold owned the 14-year-old chimp for nearly all his life. She said Travis combed her hair and slept with her. Police, who shot and killed the chimp, said Nash’s face appeared to have been ripped off in the 12-minute attack.

The family is gathering photos of Nash to send to the clinic for possible reconstructive surgery, said Capt. Richard Conklin.