My guess is that the snake aspirated fluid when it regurgitated the rat, and potentially suffocated on that. While snakes can regurgitate, it's very tough on them, and considering that the windpipe (aka glottis) is located on the floor of the snake's mouth, it's relatively easy for one to accidentally breathe in some digestive fluids while in the process of "throwing up" a meal.
Very sorry for your loss.
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