Shocking! US Man Found Dead in Home With 125 Snakes Around

A 49-year-old man David Riston was found dead at his home in Charles County, Maryland, in the United States.

As per reports, at least 125 snakes were discovered in his home, including highly dangerous and illegal spitting cobras and black mambas.

Local police said they received a call from the man's neighbour on Wednesday night, according to NBC Washington. When the neighbour hadn't seen the man in over a day, he stated that he went to check on him. When he arrived at his house, he discovered the man asleep on the floor.

The man was found dead and surrounded by 125 snakes, including a 14-foot yellow Burmese python, when police and fire authorities arrived at the property.

There was no sign of foul play, according to the authorities. The body of the man was taken to Baltimore's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy.

Charles County Animal Control spokesperson Jennifer Harris informed WUSA9 that they "labelled and bagged" 125 snakes, both venomous and nonvenomous.

"I want to reassure the community, [and] anyone who lives in this neighbourhood, that none of the snakes was improperly secured or could have escaped," he said. WUSA9's Jennifer Harris said

I understand that residents in the area were concerned that the snakes would pose a threat, but as of now, we have not discovered or determined that any of the snakes were not secured following this gentleman's death," she added.

Reptile experts in Virginia and North Carolina were approached by animal control officials to help with the safe removal of the snakes, which were observed being put into cars in plastic containers. Non-poisonous snakes were sent to Virginia, while venomous snakes were sent to North Carolina. WRC said that handlers had to warm up their vehicles to make it safe for the reptiles to travel.

Officials are still unclear why the man kept so many snakes inside his home, but it was evident that they were all well cared for. Riston, who reportedly lived alone, had a valid permit allowing him to keep snakes and reptiles, but under Maryland law, it is illegal to possess any venomous snakes. 

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