The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have confirmed that the snake involved in the deaths of two New Brunswick boys has been destroyed.
Whilst the general assumption is that the snake killed brothers Noah and Connor Barthe, the police are being cautious, and have not given absolute confirmation of that.
At a press conference a few hours ago, a police spokesman said the the investigation was in its early stages. Post-mortem examinations will be performed on the two boys today, Tuesday.
Sgt. Alain Tremblay confirmed that the snake was an African rock python and not a Boa constrictor, as some media reports had previously suggested.
It appears that the snake escaped and made its way through the ventilation system into the apartment above the Reptile Ocean exotic pet store in Campbellton, where the brothers were sleeping.
Dave Rose, uncle of the boy’s mother, read a statement from the family. They thanked the public for support but also asked for privacy as the family grieves. Ian Comeau, Campbellton’s deputy mayor, said the incident was a “tragedy.” He added,”The city is in shock”
Reptile Ocean wrote on its Facebook page: “Deepest sympathies goes out to the family of the children. A terrible accident without a meaning. Later, the store announced it would temporarily suspend its online account as it had received “demeaning comments.”
This New Brunswick snake has been in the pet shop since 2001.
