Python found coiled around dead woman's neck in Indiana home owned by sheriff with 140 snakes

Dave Bangert and Nikos Frazier, Lafayette Journal & Courier
Updated

OXFORD, Ind. – A 36-year-old woman died Wednesday after she was found with an 8-foot snake wrapped around her neck in an Indiana house, owned by Benton County Sheriff Don Munson and set up specifically for a collection of snakes, Indiana State Police said.

The woman, who police had not named as of 12:45 p.m. Thursday, pending notification of her family, apparently kept 140 snakes in the house, Sgt. Kim Riley, an Indiana State Police spokesman, said.

Munson, who lives next door to the house, told the Journal & Courier Thursday afternoon that he found the woman in the blue ranch house with the snakes on Wednesday evening.

Riley said the cause of death would be determined during an autopsy, scheduled for Friday.

“She appears to have been strangled by the snake,” Riley said. “We do not know that for a fact until after the autopsy.”

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Munson told the Journal & Courier that Hurst’s death was a "tragic accident with loss of human life." He said he was "being fully cooperative with everybody."

Coroner Matt Rosenbarger referred all questions to Indiana State Police.

Munson told the J&C that the woman’s death was a "tragic accident with loss of human life." He said he was "being fully cooperative with everybody."

"I’ve given all information to the state police," Munson told the Journal & Courier.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office dispatch also referred calls to ISP.

"She apparently had snakes there, herself," Riley said.

Things were quiet Thursday afternoon at the house with the snakes. The house has no signage or references to what’s inside.

Riley said police were continuing their investigation Thursday.

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This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Python found around dead woman's neck in house with 140 snakes: Police