just needing some info

From what I'm reading here, you said you turned off the UTH, the heat lamp had the cage at 87--and then you turned off the lights and went to bed. Did the heat go off at that time as well? If so, that could have been a contributing factor, but it most likely didn't cause the snake's death. Ball pythons are reasonably hardy animals.

The idea that 3 minutes at 98F killed the snake is largely ridiculous--even if the snake got that warm, which it doesn't sound like it would have.

From your description, the snake was ill when you got it. Most probable causes are infections and parasites. The regurgitation might have been caused by the cold if the heat was off at night, but considering how soon afterward the snake died, was probably also related to its illness.

I hope that you completely and THOROUGHLY washed and sterilized (with bleach) everything inside of the cage before you put your new ball python into it. If not you risk passing to it whatever illness or parasite killed the original one.

If you haven't done so, do it immediately--and stick with newspaper and minimal furnishings (a very small tight hide on each end, and a water bowl) until the new snake is established. In about 3 weeks, have it checked by a veterinarian, including a fecal exam for internal parasites. If it's clear, you can add back the fancy furnishings--but have it tested again in 6 months, just in case.

It's difficult to properly maintain temperatures in a reptile cage without a thermostat or rheostat. If the temperatures in your home are very stable (both night and day) then a rheostat will suffice, but a reliable thermostat is always better. UTHs should never be used without one--they simply get too hot, and can burn the animal.
One side of the cage should be 90 F on the spot--a couple of degrees higher is ok, but no more than 93F. Definitely no lower than 90. 87 is ok for a day, but it's not good enough for long-term maintenance.
The other side of the cage should be 80 to 83F. It shouldn't be cooler or warmer than that.
A night time temperature drop is not recommended--ball pythons live near and at the equator. The only time night temperatures are dropped are for adults who are being conditioned for breeding--and even then, temperatures never fall below 80F on the hot spot.

ok i got his temps to an ambient of 82 and the hot side is almost 94 and some diffrent hides for him and cleaned his cage. he just looks SO much more healthy that the other one WAY better. his temps are now perfect 90 hot 80 cool