Pet python squeezes owner to death in woodshed

The Kentucky Medical Examiner’s office determined that 23-year-old Patrick Von Allmen died of asphyxia caused by constriction of the neck and shoulders, but was not bitten by the snake.

The Courier-Journal

An autopsy Tuesday morning confirmed that a 14-foot python killed a Lanesville man found in a shed with the animal Monday, Indiana Conservation Officer Mark Farmer said.

The Kentucky Medical Examiner’s office determined that 23-year-old Patrick Von Allmen died of asphyxia caused by constriction of the neck and shoulders, but was not bitten by the snake, said Farmer.

Von Allmen had gone into the shed behind his home on Pennington Street to treat the snake, which was a pet, for an illness shortly before 5 p.m. Monday. Von Allmen was found lying on the floor there by relatives three hours later with the snake unconfined, according to Farmer.

The fate of the snake was unclear Tuesday morning.