The first few pics are an albino burm, but the last picture from the article even though it's barely bigger than hatchling size does in fact appear to be a rock python. April nailed it, not many people work with them and they're pretty notorious for having pi$$y attitudes because they are often imports or occasionally F2's.....same thing that happens with pure import dwarf burms, they are nasty little buggers but normal Burms bred over several generations are known to have fantastic temperaments.
STILL....something doesn't sound right here , an 8fter can certainly do this if it wants to but they find no puncture marks? Come on, yes it's a big snake and powerful but I just have my doubts about it asphyxiating a full gown, seemingly muscular man at that size with no bite marks from an accidental feeding response.Possible? Yes. Likely? No.
I would like to see the official coroners report, the media likes to create hysteria with these kinds of stories.