Chimp victim's family, doctor speak out

Stamford (WTNH) - Horrific details about the chimp attack last month in Stamford are being released. The incident left Charla Nash in critical condition but her family says they still have hope that she will recover.

Police estimate that the 200 pound chimp named Travis attacked Charla for 12 minutes. More than two weeks after the brutal attack, Charla is still holding on for her life and doctors say the fact that she is even alive is nothing short of a miracle.

"The amount of blood loss she had initially at both the scene and the emergency room and the extensive trauma that she sustained to her extremities, you could tell that this woman as she came in, Michael nailed it, she needed to live had a reason to live," said Dr. Kevin Miller, who treated Charla at the Stamford Medical Center.

Charla has since been transferred to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. The hospital released a statement on March 3rd detailing her injuries.

"Ms. Nash suffered extensive soft tissue injuries to her face. In the attack, she lost her nose, upper and lower lips, eyelids and the bony structures in her mid-face. She also lost both of her hands. While these wounds have been stabilized, critical issues still remain related to a significant traumatic brain injury and injuries to her eyes that threaten her vision."

The Cleveland Clinic performed the nation's first face transplant surgery, but doctors say it is too early to tell if the 55-year old would be a candidate for such a procedure.

Charla's brother, Michael Nash, clings to the hope that she will survive these injuries.

"She's still critical but stable. She's a fighter and just hoping she comes out as well as possible," Michael said.

Michael says Charla has been surrounded by friends and family, but the chimp's owner and Charla's longtime friend, Sandra Herold, has not been in contact.

Authorities are still deciding whether or not Herold will face criminal charges.