Snake Enthusiast Killed By 8-Foot Python He Had Owned
Local Editor
A man found dead at his home was killed by his 8-foot pet python he had kept since it was a hatchling.
The family of keen snake handler Dan Brandon, 31, referred to the animal as "his baby", an inquest heard.
Brandon died of asphyxiation at his home in Church Crookham, Hampshire, on 25 August 2017, Basingstoke Coroners' Court was told.
His mother told the court her son kept 10 snakes, along with 12 tarantulas at the family home.
He had owned the African rock python, named Tiny, since she was small enough to fit in the palm of his hand.
Coroner Andrew Bradley recorded a verdict of misadventure and said: "The most likely scenario is that Tiny was engaged with Dan - I have no doubt about that.
"She was coiling around him, at which point I have no idea. There was a point at which either she takes hold of him unexpectedly or trips him up or some other mechanism."
He said after Brandon was killed the snake then hid, probably "because of the shock of him falling or because of his reaction".
Brandon's parents, brother and sister were present at the inquest. His mother told the court the snake had loved her son and that Tiny was "his baby".
She said, however, Brandon had become aware of how strong Tiny had become.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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