Horror! Huge 8ft Python Strangles Its Handler In ‘A Show Of Affection’

Dan Brandon was killed by his pet snake

A keen snake handler, Dan Brandon has been killed by his 8ft pet python Tiny in a ‘show of affection’ after it escaped from its case and crushed him to death. According to Dailymail, Brandon died of asphyxiation in the bedroom of his home in Church Crookham, Hampshire.

His mother Babs said he kept ten snakes and 12 tarantulas in his room at the home and had had Tiny, an African rock python which was his ‘baby’, since she was small enough to fit in his hand.

Coroner Andrew Bradley recorded a verdict of misadventure at Basingstoke Coroners’ Court today, saying: ‘We have nothing apart from Tiny so I have to accept she is instrumental in Dan’s death. I do not believe in any way it was aggression from Tiny nor a confrontation – if anything it was a show of affection, a moment of peace.’ 

Mr Bradley said the snake then hid, probably ‘because of the shock of him falling or because of his reaction’.

He added 31-year-old Mr Brandon was asphyxiated ‘as a result of contact with Tiny‘, and that he ‘cannot see any other reason’ for the death on August 25 last year. 

Mr Brandon’s parents, brother and sister were in court, and Mrs Brandon told the coroner the snake loved her son, was his ‘baby’, and that he never felt threatened by Tiny but was aware of how strong she was.

Pathologist Dr Adman al-Badri said his diagnosis of asphyxiation was one he came to by exclusion, but said what he found included a haemorrhage behind one eye, plus burst blood vessels, and congested lungs – another sign of asphyxiation.

He told the court he examined the neck muscles and ‘dissected them layer by layer’ and that there were ‘no specific signs on his neck’.

Dr al-Badri said Mr Brandon was ‘obviously fit and healthy’ and had ‘no disease whatsoever’.

The court also heard how there were no bite marks or puncture wounds caused by a snake discovered on his body, and Mr Bradley ruled there was no aggression from the python.

Reptile expert Professor John Cooper said he examined Tiny at the Brandon’s home in November and measured her at eight foot and four inches long.

Describing Mr Brandon, who had kept snakes for 16 years, as someone who was ‘obviously experienced’ at caring for tropical creatures, he told the court he ‘would have known how to unwrap a python’.

A statement from Mrs Brandon, made on behalf of the family, said: ‘Five months ago we lost a son, brother, uncle, best mate, friend and drinking buddy and one of the funniest people you could wish to know.

‘I cry every day and I relive it all the time, all the family have wanted is answers and I do not know even if we have that.’ 

Mr Brandon posted photos of himself on social media with his pets including a huge Burmese python.

Friend John Cottrell set up a JustGiving fundraising page in Mr Brandon’s memory which has raised £485 for the WWF animal charity.

He wrote: ‘On August 25, Dan unexpectedly passed away at home.

‘He was obsessed with snakes, spiders, birds and all wildlife, in his memory we have set up two fundraising pages, one for WWF and one for RSPB.

‘We have struggled when looking for photos for his funeral to find any when he isn’t holding a spider, snake, small bird, toad, slow worm, hedgehog, feeding a fox, stroking cattle, befriending a cat or dog so these charities seemed the perfect choice. In memory of you Dan…. who we will all miss SO much.’

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