Woman whose face was torn off by a chimp released from hospital

Charla, who has hidden her face under a hat and veil, with her daughter Brianna

Travis, the pet chimpanzee, was shot and killed by police following the attack.Charla Nash, whose face was ripped off by her friend's pet chimpanzee, has finally left hospital more than a year after the attack

 

A woman who lost her hands and much of her face when she was mauled by a chimpanzee has been released from hospital.

Charla Nash was discharged from the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio on Thursday night and transported to a Boston-area assisted-living centre, where she plans to continue her rehabilitation.

Bill Monaco, an attorney for Ms Nash's family, told The Associated Press: 'She's going to be learning some skills necessary to become independent.

'She needs a rehab facility while they assess what they can do for her in the future.'



Ms Nash was attacked by 200lb pet chimpanzee Travis in February 2009 after its owner asked her to help lure the creature back into her house in Stamford, Connecticut.

The animal ripped off Ms Nash's hands, nose, lips and eyelids.

Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, who have performed multiple surgeries for Ms Nash, released a statement reading: 'Ms Nash has made great progress in her recovery. She is doing well and has been discharged from the Cleveland Clinic.

'Throughout her stay she has touched the lives of many of our employees; we wish Charla and her family all the best.'Mr Monaco said Ms Nash's goal is to have more reconstructive surgery and learn to live independently.
The Cleveland Clinic performed America's first face transplant in 2008 but told Ms Nash's family in January that she is not a candidate for a face and hand transplant.

Ms Nash, who revealed her heavily disfigured face in November on The Oprah Winfrey Show, was taken to the clinic soon after the attack.

Her family is suing the chimpanzee's owner, Sandra Herold, for $50million and wants to sue the state for $150million - saying that state officials failed to prevent the attack.

The chimp was shot and killed by police after the attack, and tests showed he had the anti-anxiety drug Xanax in his system.

The chimp had also escaped in 2003 from his owner's car and led police on a chase for hours in Stamford. No one was injured.