Yahoo News Snake handler found dead at his home with serious injuries ‘was strangled’
The snake handler who was found dead in his home was strangled, according to a coroner.
Dan Brandon, 31, died at his home in Church Crookham, Hampshire on August 25 and his pet snake was found near to his lifeless body.
North Hampshire Coroner Andrew Bradley has now ruled that Mr Brandon died from asphyxiation and that the snake had not been ruled out of the investigation.
The coroner’s official added to The Sun: “The post mortem has come back and the inquest was opened.
“His cause of death was asphyxia and he was identified by his mum and dad.
A Hampshire Police spokesman confirmed that officers were carrying out inquiries into the death on behalf of the coroner.
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He added: “The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage.”
John Cottrell, a friend of Mr Brandon, has set up JustGiving fundraising pages in his memory.
He wrote: “On August 25th Dan unexpectedly passed away at home. He was obsessed with snakes, spiders, birds and all wildlife, in his memory we have set up two fundraising pages, one for WWF and one for RSPB.
“We have struggled when looking for photos for his funeral to find any when he isn’t holding a spider, snake, small bird, toad, slow worm, hedgehog, feeding a fox, stroking cattle, befriending a cat or dog so these charities seemed the perfect choice. In memory of you Dan…. who we will all miss SO much.”
Mr Brandon posted photos of himself on social media with his pets including a huge Burmese python.
