Crime & Safety
Python Found Around Dead Woman's Neck In Home Filled With Snakes
According to Indiana State Police, there are 140 snakes at the house, and 20 of those belonged to the woman.
OXFORD, IN— Police are investigating after a woman was found with an eight-foot python around her neck Wednesday night inside a house filled with snakes in Oxford, Indiana.
According to Illinois State Police, Benton County Dispatch received a 911 call at 8:51 p.m. from a house in the 600 block of North Dan Patch Drive of a woman found unresponsive with a "reticulated python" wrapped around her neck. Medics tried to save the life of 36-year-old Laura Hurst, from Battle Ground, but were unsuccessful, according to state police.
According to police, 140 snakes reside at the North Dan Patch Drive house. Twenty of them belonged to Hurst, who visited the home two times each week, authorities said.
Find out what's happening in Across Indianafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The investigation in the case is being led by ISP Senior Trooper Detective Josh Edwards, with assistance from the ISP Crime Scene Investigators, Benton County Sheriff’s office, Benton County EMS and the Benton County Coroner’s office.
Police said an autopsy will be performed Friday to determine the woman's official cause of death.
Find out what's happening in Across Indianafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.