Virginia Beach, VA - Woman killed by pet python

They reference a "tiger python" in the article...my guess it was a Tiger Retic ? Who knows, but to all the Giant Keepers out there...use a spotter or at least have a buddy around in case your snake decides to have its way with you....

http://www.nbc12.com/Global/story.asp?S=9228953

Great, and while the feds are trying ban pythons and boas. Hey Brad thanks for the post. I am also in Richmond.

Sad situation for all involved. We all need to remember to be responsible snake keepers.

What a bummer. I wonder if she was a member here. With a big Tiger Ret I would not be suprised. Tragic.

Responsible giant keepers know that once they get to be a certain size to have a second person their just in case stuff like that happens.

i believe this is her http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...iendid=1444838

anyone know her? thats so sad.

SO....there is a dead body, a loose snake.....and the husband found her there?....Sounds fishy my friends........lets not be so quick to blame the snake.....just sayin....

and if that is her myspace page, it was logged into today....

hmm it would be a good cover up wouldnt it...

he prolly logged in to reply to all the people asking if it was her!

even at 13 ft i dont really see the snake wrapping and killing her. ive had alot of friends with larger retics and burms then that and have really ticked them off but they would just bite and run or clicmb back into the enclosures. this could have happened but i think something fishy is up with this story. i think the husband is in the middle of it somewheres and blaming the poor snake.and most people know or should know regardless of how sweet or docile a pet of that size is you never attempt messing with it alone. always have someone atleast in the next room that you could shout for if something for the worse started to occur.

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Originally Posted by xanaxez

even at 13 ft i dont really see the snake wrapping and killing her. ive had alot of friends with larger retics and burms then that and have really ticked them off but they would just bite and run or clicmb back into the enclosures. this could have happened but i think something fishy is up with this story. i think the husband is in the middle of it somewheres and blaming the poor snake.and most people know or should know regardless of how sweet or docile a pet of that size is you never attempt messing with it alone. always have someone atleast in the next room that you could shout for if something for the worse started to occur.

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I guess we can hope that the family, friends, and spouse of this individual are not members, and are not sitting here reading this post... seriously not cool to speculate like this about a situation you know nothing about.

Perhaps a bit of sensitivity might be in order?

Bruce

I was getting ready to say something similar. We just read a very short summary of the story and within just a few posts people are saying they think it's fishy and the husband is involved. That is just ridiculous. Let's show some respect for her family and friends who very well could be members here.

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Originally Posted by waltah!

I was getting ready to say something similar. We just read a very short summary of the story and within just a few posts people are saying they think it's fishy and the husband is involved. That is just ridiculous. Let's show some respect for her family and friends who very well could be members here.

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We're all entitled to our own opinions. I have mine, you have yours. Seeing that this is a public forum, we all have to right to post them here.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/play...50045&src=news

Opinions are much different than speculations. It's a one paragraph story and people are jumping to CSI like conclusions. That's all i'm sayin. If that were your wife, sister or daughter you may feel a bit differently about it.

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Originally Posted by waltah!

Opinions are much different than speculations. It's a one paragraph story and people are jumping to CSI like conclusions. That's all i'm sayin. If that were your wife, sister or daughter you may feel a bit differently about it.

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Were you there? If so, can you tell us what happened, to end all speculation?

I don't believe any of us were there, Charlie. All I was saying is that some sensitivity may have been in order there. Not sure what crawled up your hole, but I assure you it was not me. Guess everything I said falls under the whole "we all have the right to post our opinions" thing you mentioned. Not sure why you are giving me crap about it though.

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Originally Posted by waltah!

I don't believe any of us were there, Charlie. All I was saying is that some sensitivity may have been in order there. Not sure what crawled up your hole, but I assure you it was not me. Guess everything I said falls under the whole "we all have the right to post our opinions" thing you mentioned. Not sure why you are giving me crap about it though.

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Pretty much, Walter, the same reason you gave us crap about not "being sensitive"!

Isn't the 1st amendment great! :salute:

Not trying to be insensitive here but really how many keepers have to die while medicating their large Retics before they realize it's not a good idea to do something like that alone?

So tragic and untimely, and sad...

I'm not arguing with you here, dude.

I like fried chicken!!! :rolleye2:

-adam

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Originally Posted by Rapture

Not trying to be insensitive here but really how many keepers have to die while medicating their large Retics before they realize it's not a good idea to do something like that alone?

So tragic and untimely, and sad...

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These are always horrible to hear about. :(

There are long lasting and serious ramifications on so many levels... to the person, the family, the hobby, legislators, the animal in question. Especially when it is a preventable situation.

Bruce

Though this could have been prevented, it was not.
And it happened, therefore the situation has become tragic. Though this situation doesn't sound 100% alright, it is possible.

I add my huge condolences to the family of this woman, as well as the friends and people who cared about her. Everyone makes mistakes, and hers didn't end up well.
I guess I almost put myself in this situation, if one of my snakes that large killed me in the future, how my family would feel. It's a very painful thought.

Sometimes animal lovers forget that their pets are animals and think they know their temperaments. Unfortunately this had a horrible tragic ending.

I've been to reptile shows where this guy displays a huge "tame" alligator and he offered to take pictures if a child wanted to sit on it's back. I'm sure a lot of you know the guy I'm talking about. I personally would never put my child or grandchild on the back of that alligator because in the back of my mind I'm thinking "all that alligator needs is to have one bad day and the situation could turn very ugly". Luckily it never happened and since I've hear the alligator unfortunately passed away.

Very tragic.

To those who were speculating (past tense because I assume you've come to realize based on what the experts have said you were wrong) it was the husband I'm curious what in the article even made you think that was possible?

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Originally Posted by marmie

I've been to reptile shows where this guy displays a huge "tame" alligator and he offered to take pictures if a child wanted to sit on it's back.

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ok at that point you're just asking for it :rage:

Very sad for the poor lady and her family :(.

But it doesnt take CSI to think the husband had something to do with it. In most cases husbands do have everything to do with it, and why would this be any different.

We all know that police usually dont reveal to the media, what they dont want you to know, or what they dont want the real suspect to know what the police really knows. So knowing that, if they even suspect the husband it could take a very long time to gather the evidence, and file charges, and even if the husband is a suspect, without sufficient evidence they will never charge him, and we go on living thinking that the snake killed the lady, but only the husband, the snake, and GOD knows what really happened.

my .02

"Reticulated Tiger Python", I'm really curious how the media managed to get ahold of the morph of the animal and misconstrue it to be the actual name of the species. I'm sure they interviewed the husband about what kind it was, but I can't imagine him saying anything but just "reticulated python".

I think if a keeper must handle a large snake such as a retic alone, it's probably best to have a very large hunting knife within reach. Even if it's your prized tiger retic, in a situation like that, it's you or the snake.

Sad for her husband & family...

man that really sucks = [
i watch to much TV so of course all kinds of scenarios run through my mind and anything is possible. I have heard from "people" that 90% percent of the people who die from attacks from large constrictors are killed because they don't want to hurt the snake. al i have to say is if i'm wrapped.....it's on like donkey kong

I knew her, and for all of the other that have even suggested it, No her husband had nothing to do with it, he had told her to wait to do any thing with it until he got home. They have determind that it was the snake and not him. Not to mention he was at work the whole time, the snake was named Diablo, it was named that for a reason. He has gone and gotten rid of all of the snakes they had because of this, and has given Animal control the green light to have the snake put down because of this. It was 10 foot tiger retic, they had 5 retic's all together for a total of 8 snakes. She worked at one of the local pet stores here in the Reptile department, she knew her stuff. They are saying that she was trying to Med the snake but we do not know that for sure. Just the same she is gone and it is tragic, we have lost 2herp lovers, her and her husband.

People that are THIS stupid are going to ruin it for everyone!

http://www.wavy.com/global/story.asp...srvc=leadstory

Cliff Notes:
Stupid person tries to give medication to a 'supposed' 10' tiger retic by herself, and she was found dead by her husband with a crush neck. Who wants to bet the moron put the snake around her neck to give the meds? :mad:

What a moron...there is a reason why people say you NEED someone else around when you do any major handling of these size animals. :mad:

Everyone makes mistakes. This one cost this lady her life. You really should show respect for the dead.

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Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

Everyone makes mistakes. This one cost this lady her life. You really should show respect for the dead.

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I respect the dead, but I have the ability not to respect individuals, dead or not, this could have been EASILY prevented.

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Originally Posted by AaronP

I respect the dead, but I have the ability not to respect individuals, dead or not, this could have been EASILY prevented.

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Regardless this is a very sad situation. I feel very bad for both the FAMILY and FRIENDS.:please:

My thoughts and prayers ar ewith both the womans family, and the jackholes in this thread.

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Originally Posted by Thor26

man that really sucks = [
i watch to much TV so of course all kinds of scenarios run through my mind and anything is possible. I have heard from "people" that 90% percent of the people who die from attacks from large constrictors are killed because they don't want to hurt the snake. al i have to say is if i'm wrapped.....it's on like donkey kong

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This begs the question: how do you know that 90% of the people who are KILLED by their snakes are DEAD because they didn't want to hurt the snake?

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Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

Everyone makes mistakes. This one cost this lady her life. You really should show respect for the dead.

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This is another one that's just begging.

Why?

Why do I need to show respect for someone for whom in real life I most likely did not have any respect for? I can see being kind or courteous or not mean, but why respect?

Because they managed to not be alive anymore? We will accomplish at least that much; it's veritably guaranteed.

I so often see, especially with public figures, people praising the dead ONLY because they are no longer living.

Hypocrisy at it's best.

Homey don't play dat.

One thing that is known is that many deaths by snake are alcohol and drug related.

I haven't seen anything in regards to it, but was this girl sober when she died?

Or so the story goes. It seems legit. However, I can imagine an overreactive panic button being pressed.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,443830,00.html

Yep heard this one! I am in Norfolk and I hear of this all the time. People getting into something that they are not sure about. It is a tragady for both noe I am sure there are going to be people gunning fo getting rid of these beautiful snakes. It is a shame do to prob. someone's "senseless"(and I do use that term loosley) act that now people are going to be upset and really going to want these "bigger" snakes banned from now our area. Juat my opinion but I hate snakes to get a bad rap due to someone elses mistakes.

Said......yes


Her fault......yes


When someone does something stupid....like lets. say pours gas on themselves and lights the gas on fire. They die, from their own stupidity. Are we then supposed to feel sorry for them?

Where does one draw the line from being sorry to being....I cant think of the word.

This is very sad and very unfortunate to happen when the reptile world is getting so much bad press already. She should have had someone with her. My house rule is if you are going even open the cage to a snake more than 6ft, have another person with you.

Many of you are jumping to conclusions and doing nothing but disrespecting a dead woman. Yes, she was careless and should have waited to medicate the snake until her husband got home. This doesn't mean you should sit there and insult her and call her a moron. There are people out there who are far worse and they are still alive and keeping their snakes. This woman obviously was doing some things right if she was actually medicating the snake. A moron would have just let a snake die or suffer. But no, she was medicating the snake like any good keeper would do. Should she had someone with her at the time, yes, but from time to time keepers sometimes think they know the animal and feel comfortable being around it alone.

So all you people out there who are suspecting her husband for killing her and calling her names and saying what a horrible person she is, shut up and have some respect for a fellow reptile keeper.

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

This is very sad and very unfortunate to happen when the reptile world is getting so much bad press already. She should have had someone with her. My house rule is if you are going even open the cage to a snake more than 6ft, have another person with you.

Many of you are jumping to conclusions and doing nothing but disrespecting a dead woman. Yes, she was careless and should have waited to medicate the snake until her husband got home. This doesn't mean you should sit there and insult her and call her a moron. There are people out there who are far worse and they are still alive and keeping their snakes. This woman obviously was doing some things right if she was actually medicating the snake. A moron would have just let a snake die or suffer. But no, she was medicating the snake like any good keeper would do. Should she had someone with her at the time, yes, but from time to time keepers sometimes think they know the animal and feel comfortable being around it alone.

So all you people out there who are suspecting her husband for killing her and calling her names and saying what a horrible person she is, shut up and have some respect for a fellow reptile keeper.

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Nope.

She broke THE cardinal rule for keeping big snakes.

It is THE rule for just this reason.

While I do have sympathy for her & her family- especially the family!!

but like wilomn said, that is the number 1 rule w/ owning large snakes!

it gives the responsible herpers a bad name and an even worse name for the snakes.

she should of just been responsible, had some patience and waited for her husband to come home. she paid the ultimate price, her life... (i hope she didn't have children) :(

I hope that this serves as a heads up to new and existing keepers as far what these snakes are capable of. That retic was still relatively small...I think that this really put what they're capable of into perspective, and whether or not your level of experience is adequate to own one.

This is a sad and tragic situation that could've been avoided. I hope that people who think their snake knows and loves them, take a real look at this situation. Not being disrespectful or a downer, but a lot of people keep and encounter snakes that can potentially harm them and handle them improperly over and over.

And in my opinion, that snake doesn't look to be ten feet....remember the media always exaggerates the length of snakes.

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Originally Posted by nchapa

Very sad for the poor lady and her family :(.

But it doesnt take CSI to think the husband had something to do with it. In most cases husbands do have everything to do with it, and why would this be any different.

We all know that police usually dont reveal to the media, what they dont want you to know, or what they dont want the real suspect to know what the police really knows. So knowing that, if they even suspect the husband it could take a very long time to gather the evidence, and file charges, and even if the husband is a suspect, without sufficient evidence they will never charge him, and we go on living thinking that the snake killed the lady, but only the husband, the snake, and GOD knows what really happened.

my .02

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You and I clearly don't run with the same crowd as each other do.

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Originally Posted by redpython

This is a sad and tragic situation that could've been avoided. I hope that people who think their snake knows and loves them, take a real look at this situation. Not being disrespectful or a downer, but a lot of people keep and encounter snakes that can potentially harm them and handle them improperly over and over.

And in my opinion, that snake doesn't look to be ten feet....remember the media always exaggerates the length of snakes.

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I thought the same thing at first. Then I had a flashback to when I had a young retic. When that guy was seriously 10 feet long, in an 8 ft. cage all the way across the frong and part way back, he was about the thickness of a coke can.

Retics can stay very skinny up into the 10-12 ft. range.

Some of the reports also said 13 and 15 feet. No even close.

Regardless of what the rules are, or whether or not she did the right thing handling it by herself, or if it could have been avioded(all these answers are easy)... This is a tragedy, where a human life was lost. She made a mistake(Like ALL of us do at one time or another), and unfortuantely, she ultimately payed for it. We do need to learn from incidents like this, but The fact is a life was lost... Regardless of whos fault it is... I do think we need to show some compassion for the fact that she can never come back from this one mistake. At a funeral for a suicide case do we show any less compasion for the loss of life? When someone dies of lung cancer, do we skip the mourning process because it was their own bad habit that did it? :colbert: No! And that kind of attitude in a situation like this, I find obsurd! Learn from these tragedies, And swallow your pride... It is obvious she made a mistake... She is gone... Get over yourself and how right you know you are and show some compassion for human life. I am sorry but the pompus attitude on this situation by some of the members has really suprised me.

Something as simple as changing lanes at the wrong time could end your life... You never know when a tiny slip up is going to end it all, don't act like you are above this.

i personally think that a lot of the responsibility lies with the people that are mass producing these things... i'm sure i'll get flamed, but ya gotta admit, it's pretty out of hand.

the other thing, not to defend the article, they aren't trying to say it's a 'tiger retic' they're using the original common name - which was a tiger python, this goes back to when the british colonized and explored SE Asia.

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Originally Posted by SoCaliSon

Regardless of what the rules are, or whether or not she did the right thing handling it by herself, or if it could have been avioded(all these answers are easy)... This is a tragedy, where a human life was lost. She made a mistake(Like ALL of us do at one time or another), and unfortuantely, she ultimately payed for it. We do need to learn from incidents like this, but The fact is a life was lost... Regardless of whos fault it is... I do think we need to show some compassion for the fact that she can never come back from this one mistake. At a funeral for a suicide case do we show any less compasion for the loss of life? When someone dies of lung cancer, do we skip the mourning process because it was their own bad habit that did it? :colbert: No! And that kind of attitude in a situation like this, I find obsurd! Learn from these tragedies, And swallow your pride... It is obvious she made a mistake... She is gone... Get over yourself and how right you know you are and show some compassion for human life. I am sorry but the pompus attitude on this situation by some of the members has really suprised me.

Something as simple as changing lanes at the wrong time could end your life... You never know when a tiny slip up is going to end it all, don't act like you are above this.

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I'm going to assume you're confused and here's why.

There is no lack of compassion for this woman and her stupid though tragic end.

There is also no letting go of the fact that she knew better and broke THE most important rule of giant snake keeping.

When your kid gets his first speeding ticket do you tell him to be more careful where he speeds so he won't get caught or do you tell him to obey the RULES and he won't have to worry about being caught.

It's a damn shame she died. If she's contributed to the gene pool let's hope the offspring got some smarts from the dad.