Faith and Fatal Bites: The Story of Jamie Coots and Snake Handling
Jamie coots,a Kentucky pastor featured in the National Geographic reality series “Snake Salvation,” died in February 2014 after being bitten by a rattlesnake during a church service. He was 42 years old. Coots, a long-time practitioner of the controversial religious tradition of snake handling, refused medical treatment following the bite.
Coots believed,based on a passage in the Gospel of mark (Mark 16:17-18),that true believers were protected from harm by poisonous snakes and other deadly substances if they were “anointed by God.” He regularly handled venomous snakes, including copperheads, rattlesnakes, and cottonmouths, as a demonstration of faith. Despite having suffered eight previous snake bites and losing part of a finger to venom, Coots remained steadfast in his conviction.
According to fellow preacher Cody Winn, Coots was bitten on the hand after briefly dropping a rattlesnake and then picking it up again.Emergency services were called to the scene, but were initially told Coots had already returned home. Upon contacting him at his residence, paramedics found Coots refusing medical attention. He was later pronounced dead when emergency services returned later that evening.
Coots’ son, Cody, stated that his father had always recovered from previous bites, typically resting and praying for healing. This time,though,the bite proved fatal.
Coots’ practice of snake handling had previously brought him into conflict with the law. In 2013, he received a year of probation for transporting venomous snakes into Tennessee. He was also arrested in 2008 for possessing 74 snakes at his home.
National Geographic, which documented Coots and his congregation in “Snake Salvation,” released a statement following his death. Spokeswoman Stephanie Montgomery noted the network was “constantly struck by his devout religious convictions” and expressed sympathy for his family. The statement also highlighted the show’s intention to provide context for this unique and often misunderstood form of worship.
The practice of snake handling, originating over a century ago, continues in isolated communities, primarily in Kentucky and West Virginia. Pastors practicing this tradition are typically private and restrict access to their services. Some observers, like Professor Ralph Hood of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, believe Coots’ death may ironically strengthen the resolve of those who continue the practice, viewing him as a martyr for his faith.
