Texas Teen Committed Suicide by Cobra
A cobra bite can kill in 30 minutes. (Image via Shutterstock)
Authorities say a young pet-store staffer in Texas committed suicide with help from a cobra. Grant Thompson, 18, was found in cardiac arrest inside his car in a North Austin parking lot on July 14. An autopsy report, obtained by the Austin American-Statesman, shows Thompson suffered “multiple separate bites” on his arms from a monocled cobra. The bites “appeared to be intentional injection sites” as their marks gave no indication that the teen tried to pull away from the snake.
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The first bite, on Thompson’s left shoulder, was consistent with a right-handed person deliberately allowing the bite, according to the report, per KVUE. The report—which notes cobra venom leads to paralysis, respiratory failure, and death within 30 minutes—adds Thompson “had a history of suicidal ideation.”
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Shortly before he died, Thompson had posted a message on Facebook reading, simply, “I’m sorry,” per the New York Daily News. Though authorities didn’t find the cobra in Thompson’s car, which was left with the door open, the snake was discovered dead on a nearby road days later. An empty cage, a viper snake, and numerous tarantulas were also found in the vehicle.
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Thompson, who worked at a pet store that his mother owns in Temple, lived in an apartment attached to the store; it isn’t clear why he was in Austin, which is about 70 miles from his home. “Animals were a passion of his,” his mother said, adding he had an animal-themed birthday party at age 4. “From then, he was hooked,” she told the Daily News. An obituary said Thompson “died surrounded by animals that intrigued and fascinated him.” (This farmer bit a cobra to death.)
As strange as Thompson’s story is, suicide is alarmingly common: Over 41,000 Americans die from suicide every year. It’s the 10th leading cause of death in America, and the 2nd leading cause of death for American youth, ages 15 to 24. If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, there are resources available. Visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org, or pick up the phone and call: 1 (800) 273-8255.
By Arden Dier
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This article originally appeared on Newser: Texas Teen Committed Suicide by Cobra
