SHE-MALE PORN STAR AND THE SNAKEMAN
May 31 2004
Bite victim's bizarre secret
By Lachlan Mackinnon
SNAKEBITE riddle Scot Garrick Wales was close friends with a 'she-male' porn star, it emerged last night.
US police probing the married businessman's death revealed his links to Joanna Jet, a male sex performer with long blonde hair and34C breasts.
Detective Eric Knowles said: 'We were told by the Wales family that this Joanna was his girlfriend. I don't mean they were necessarily any more than friends.'
Millionaire's son Garrick was found dead in a car on May 13 after collecting a box of deadly snakes from an airport in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Police are waiting to see if test results will confirm fears that hewas killed by a bite.
As Garrick's wife and three kids grieved, British-born Joanna recalled her friendship with him in an internet tribute. The porn star said: 'It was our secret, something his wife and children knew nothing about.
'There was nothing sordid or juicy about it. It was just two people who enjoyed each other's company.'
Joanna claimed he and Garrick spent time together in Paris before the Scot's fatal trip to America this month.
He said: 'We had a magical couple of days filled with nothing but smiles and happiness.
'He was, to the very last breath, a true Scotsman.'
Sources say Garrick met Joanna two years ago at a champagne promotion night in a London club. Joanna claims they shared an interest in collecting champagne, as well as a passion for reptiles.
Friends of Garrick in Scotland knew nothing of any interest he had in snakes. They cannot understand why he ordered a shipment of the creatures from a supplier in America.
Garrick collected a 6ft green mamba,a 4ft black mamba,a 5ft forest cobra and a 14in twig snake from Little Rock airport.
He was then found dead at the wheel of his hired car.
Police later discovered the snakes at the roadside half a mile away. One theory is that Garrick died as he drove to get help after being bitten.
Detective Knowles said: 'Whether he had a snake fetish, we simply don't know.
'This is definitely not a homicide there is no foul play. All other possibilities remain open.'
Joanna believes Garrick may have been killed by the ongoing effects of a snakebite he suffered last year in South Africa. He said: 'He had never fully returned to health.
'Regular blood transfusions seemed to be keeping it at bay, but each transfusion was proving less effective than the last.'
Joanna describes himself on his website as a 5ft 4in blonde with a 34C-26-34 figure.
He says he has homes in London and Los Angeles, and admits his sexual tastes 'can best be described as depraved'.
Joanna boasts: 'I will happily indulge in all kinds of sexual activity in almost any kind of scene. The hardest part is finding other performers that will sink to my level.'
Joanna has starred in films including Shemale Jet-Set and Brazen Shemales. He said: 'To get on the box cover of a top-selling video was my goal for two years. It's a validation thing.'
Garrick's wife Pamela teaches at a school in Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire. The couple's children are all pupils there.
MYSTERY WOMAN IN SNAKEBITE DEATH LINK
By David Taylor
POLICE have stepped up the hunt for a mystery woman linked to the bizarre snakebite death of a Scots businessman.
US detectives last night said finding Gillian Hamilton was a priority after the death of Garrick Wales, 48, from Kilmacolm in Renfrewshire.
The married dad-of-three was found in a car near a box of venomous African snakes in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Officers believe Hamilton may have been in the car shortly before his death.
Last night, Arkansas detective Eric Knowles said: 'We're eager to speak to Miss Hamilton. We are waiting for autopsy results which should shed more light on this.'
Police believe snake venom killed Mr Wales. But there do not appear to be any bite marks on his body and they are probing a theory he injected himself with the poison.
Before his death, Mr Wales took receipt of some of the world's most deadly snakes, including a black mamba.
He was a known risk-taker. After being bitten by a snake in South Africa last year, he wrote a 30-page autobiography which ended saying he'd had a 'fantastic and blessed life'.
A family friend said: 'Garrick loved helping people out but he also got a buzz from putting himself in danger.'
Cops are also probing the possibility he died elsewhere and was driven to a lane where he was found on May 13.
I'm sure Scotsman everywhere are beaming with pride. LOL!