# Escaped python kills 2 kids - something doesn't feel right here. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 6, 2013, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511 "2013-08-06T18:35:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Thornbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Thornbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thornbird)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/161 "2013-09-12T17:20:22Z")
I’m not a snake expert but I know enough that this sounds rediculous. Here’s a different theory and the only one that would make sense to me: Lets sleep over at Timmy’s his dad has a cool snake! So the boys get to pet the snake supervised, etc. bedtime comes, father goes to bed, son goes to bed, and two friends go to bed, then start talking about snake and how cool it is, then go in other room to see it again, then knowing they could let it before, open cage to pet it again, the now free very strong snake gets by children easily. Boys panic, and try to get snake back in cage, both terrified of getting in trouble don’t go get help, while struggling to move snake, snake coils both boys up and constricts, then snake continues to try to get out of house. Just the grip of a snake this size would like suffocate a child, even if it didn’t go into full constriction. This theory is mine without any other facts than those given out, and is the only thing that makes sense to me. Going through vent makes no sense. One side or other would be covered, and would be in vent not in ceiling. So how would it have come through ceiling without bringing the whole ventilation with it. Killing two and not eating cuz they smell like goats? One should have been eaten Too it, not likely, shoulders could pose problem but these thing can swallow a dear, I think it would manage. Especially if really constricted. This thing could crush a child into a mess of bones. Father being a murdered or a sexual deviant or gets off watching snake… Well those are always possible but I feel people jump too quick to blaming people like this, beside freaks like this oddly usually keep trophies of this, movies, items, etc. but not all, of course, but this would make more sense than the murdering snake falling through ceiling theory. I also heard that the boys were playing in a pool that day. There is a rare condition that lungs get water in them and can suffocate a child slowly hours after they get out of water. It’s rare, but seems more plausible than a snake killing two like that. It bugs me that the coroners office only said “died of auxficiation” (I know I spelt wrong) without the qualifier of “by constriction” or “by snake” I live a couple hours away and after coroners report the news got real quiet about. Like they found something that didn’t match the original story so it became hush hush. Almost like it was a child’s fault. Just my two cents ---
**Author:** ![Thornbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Thornbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thornbird)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/162 "2013-09-12T17:29:16Z")
Sorry for any weirdness in sentence structure, iPhone autocorrected me a few times without me noticing ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/163 "2013-09-12T17:42:59Z")
[This story came out a few days after the last time this thread was updated.](http://ca.news.yahoo.com/python-pet-shop-owner-had-blood-hands-173023991.html) It describes collapsed ceiling tiles and a dangling ventilation pipe, and that would be consistent with the story about the snake escaping through the top of the enclosure. > [@Thornbird](#): > > So the boys get to pet the snake supervised, etc. bedtime comes, father goes to bed, son goes to bed, and two friends go to bed, then start talking about snake and how cool it is, then go in other room to see it again, then knowing they could let it before, open cage to pet it again, the now free very strong snake gets by children easily. Boys panic, and try to get snake back in cage, both terrified of getting in trouble don’t go get help, while struggling to move snake, snake coils both boys up and constricts, then snake continues to try to get out of house. I have to think this would have looked (to the police) completely different from the snake attacking two children who had been sleeping. > [@](#): > > I live a couple hours away and after coroners report the news got real quiet about. Like they found something that didn’t match the original story so it became hush hush. Almost like it was a child’s fault. The press wouldn’t have kept that quiet. ---
**Author:** ![CannyDan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cannydan/32/548_2.png) [@CannyDan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CannyDan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/164 "2013-09-12T19:40:09Z")
Since the thread has been bumped anyway… I guess Canada must be filled to overflowing with exciting news stories competing for space in the printed and electronic media. Otherwise I am unable to understand the apparent lack of follow-up to what I would otherwise expect to be a big, big story. Two kids dead, giant reptiles, illegal wildlife, bureaucratic incompetence, questionable parenting, yadda, yadda… If such a thing happened in LA or NY, Nancy Grace would be on it like a terrier on a rat. I really thought the autopsy report would provide both cause and manner of death and some description of the scenario. Seems that we’ll never know the whole story. Too bad! Unless such reports are matters of public record, and somebody nearby might want to go and have a look and let us know. Any curious Canadians out there? ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/165 "2015-02-06T04:32:33Z")
Man who owned python in New Brunswick attack arrested [http://www.canada.com/life/owned+python+Brunswick+attack+arrested+lawyer/10790476/story.html](http://www.canada.com/life/owned+python+Brunswick+attack+arrested+lawyer/10790476/story.html) ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/166 "2015-02-06T16:29:57Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > Man who owned python in New Brunswick attack arrested > > [http://www.canada.com/life/owned+python+Brunswick+attack+arrested+lawyer/10790476/story.html](http://www.canada.com/life/owned+python+Brunswick+attack+arrested+lawyer/10790476/story.html) Arrested but no charges laid? What is the RCMP up to? They determined that no criminal charges were required, in 2013. Weird. ---
**Author:** ![CannyDan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cannydan/32/548_2.png) [@CannyDan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CannyDan)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/167 "2015-02-06T16:49:37Z")
The story has been weird from the beginning. And still there is no detail offered about the autopsies. The article says “The 4.3-metre long python asphyxiated the boys, autopsies said.” But for all the reasons iterated upthread, I’d really like to know some details of the manner of death. Guess we’re never going to see that though. Apparently Canada is just too polite to drag these salacious details out in front of a world wide audience. 😉 Too bad! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/168 "2016-11-11T12:00:21Z")
As a post script to this thread, Savoie was found [not guilty](http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/python-death-jurors-instructions-1.3842113) of criminal negligence in this case. ---
**Author:** ![CannyDan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cannydan/32/548_2.png) [@CannyDan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CannyDan)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/169 "2016-11-11T20:29:34Z")
> [@Cyros](#): > > As a post script to this thread, Savoie was found [not guilty](http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/python-death-jurors-instructions-1.3842113) of criminal negligence in this case. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/170 "2016-11-11T21:21:22Z")
Would you say he slithered out of trouble? ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/171 "2016-11-11T21:28:59Z")
I would not but if you require an abundance of overripe fruit you certainly could. Just remember wear something that you don’t mind getting stained, 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/172 "2016-11-11T22:55:52Z")
No python would ever eat two kids - that is suspect. Constrictors kill and swallow their prey whole. Once they have one whole kid dissolving in their belly, they go to sleep for a couple of weeks to digest it, and only then go back for more. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/173 "2016-11-13T17:21:43Z")
Comforting. Thanks. Sent from my adequate mobile device using Tapatalk. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/174 "2023-05-09T20:09:56Z")
This update on the case was contemporaneous with the ‘not guilty’ verdict from 2016, but I didn’t see it posted. If it was embedded in one of the links, and this is a repost, sorry for the bump. [Some pathological info](https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/11/03/new-brunswick-brothers-killed-by-python-were-blue-court-told.html) _[Pathologist] Godlewski found Connor suffered multiple puncture wounds, abrasions and bruises, as well as hemorrhages in his neck muscles, while Noah had multiple puncture wounds compatible with bites over his body. He says there was blood on Noah’s upper body._ _Godlewski said the puncture wounds to Connor were consistent with snake bites._ _"I do agree the pattern of the wounds (were) consistent with the pattern of the teeth of this snake,” he testified._ ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/175 "2023-05-09T20:35:56Z")
But could they determine which damage was done by the hips? ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/176 "2023-05-10T12:32:23Z")
Fascinating, going through this long thread with myriad sound arguments on how this is very, very unlikely and makes no sense, to the belated snippet that basically tells it did happen just so. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511/177 "2023-05-10T13:00:41Z")
Since this thread has been updated, and I have skimmed it, I just want to offer a comment on this bit of skepticism from the last decade, shared by a number of posters: > [@CannyDan](#): > > It makes little sense that such a snake would have killed two prey objects and not bothered to attempt to ingest either of them. I seem to recall, on another board in the long distant past (Snopes) discussing another python attack against a toddler, in which the python was being kept as a pet and neglected. As here, the unfortunate child, though constricted to death, was not actually eaten. If memory serves, the reporting was that when such things happen, it is because the snake is just that desperate for food, because human children really are not a python’s preferred (or even physically possible) food source. By which I mean human children (apparently, according to the reporting as I recall it, not being expert in such things as swallowing human children whole) tend to be too large for pythons to swallow, but a python might _try_ to scarf one if it’s desperate. Under such circumstances, it makes perfect sense (to the extent such freak incidents can make sense) not only that it would fail to swallow one victim, but also that it would move on and try the same thing with another victim hoping to get better results, but proving no less fruitful. It was still (presumably) hungry, after all, and it just went to all that effort to kill something too big for it eat, so why not try again? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escaped-python-kills-2-kids-something-doesnt-feel-right-here/665511.md?page=8)