This archive report was first published on 2 November 2019.
On November 2, 2019, a tragic incident occurred in Oxford, Indiana, where a 36-year-old woman was found dead with an eight-foot-long python wrapped around her neck.
According to Indiana State Police Sgt. Kim Riley, the woman, identified as Laura Hurst, was found unresponsive on the floor of her home on Wednesday night.
Police discovered 140 snakes at the home, which was owned by Sheriff Donald Munson, a senior police officer who lives next door.
Sheriff Munson described the incident as tragic and stated that he would cooperate with the police to investigate the matter.
It was revealed that no one lived in the house, which was modified for the purpose of keeping snakes, and about 20 snakes belonged to the deceased.
Autopsy results will determine the official cause of death, but Sgt. Riley stated that it appears Hurst was strangled by the snake.
The reticulated python found on Hurst's snake is said to be one of the longest in the world and originates from Southeast Asia, thriving in tropical areas near water.
According to National Geographic, there are few instances of pythons attacking humans, and most occur due to mishandling them as pets.
