8ft python strangles owner in bedroom in ‘show of affection’
A MAN who kept an 8ft python called Tiny in his bedroom was strangled after it wrapped itself around him in “a show of affection”, an inquest heard yesterday.
Exotic animal enthusiast Dan Brandon was found dead by his parents in his room, where he kept 10 snakes and 12 tarantulas.
All the animals were still in Mr Brandon’s vivarium except an 8ft 4in African rock python which was hiding under a box.
The inquest heard Mr Brandon, 31, died from asphyxiation by the snake which he had owned for seven years and had an “affectionate relationship with”.
Coroner Andrew Bradley said Tiny was instrumental in Mr Brandon’s death.
But the inquest heard there was no evidence the snake had been aggressive.
Mr Bradley suggested Mr Brandon was killed when, as typical for a snake lover, he held Tiny and she wrapped herself around him.
He said the snake may have “unexpectedly got hold of him” or caused him to trip while it was wrapped around him.
But he but could not be exactly sure how Mr Brandon came to be asphyxiated.
A snake expert who gave evidence said Mr Brandon, who started keeping snakes around the age of 15, was an experienced herpetologist who knew how to care for his pets.
Mr Brandon, who lived with parents Babs and Derek in the Hampshire village of Church Crookham, died on August 25 last year after returning home from his work as a landscaper.
The inquest in Basingstoke heard he enjoyed a few cans of lager after finishing work and his parents heard a loud bang from his room.
Mr and Mrs Brandon called him for dinner but became concerned when he did not come downstairs.
Coroner Mr Bradley said: “We have nothing apart from Tiny so I have to accept she is instrumental in Dan’s death.”