*UPDATE* Temple teen dies after possible snake bite, cobra unaccounted for

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*UPDATE*

The Austin Police department released photos of a Monocled Cobra. They add that the photos are not of the actual snake that is missing.

APD goes on to say, "If anyone has any information about this particular snake or this case, they are asked to call the APD Homicide Unit at 512-974-5210. If you see the snake, call 9-1-1 immediately. DO NOT approach it. It is black with a distinctive circle on its back and a tan under belly. It is highly aggressive."


Original story below



A Temple teenager is dead from a possible snake bite and Austin Police say a cobra snake is unaccounted for.

Williamson County Judge Dain Johnson said the victim is Grant Thompson, 18.  Judge Johnson has ordered an autopsy to determine how Thompson died and if a snake is responsible.

Around 9:45 Tuesday night Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a report of an unconscious man found in his car. It was parked at the end of the Lowe's parking lot near Parmer and IH-35.

Thompson went into cardiac arrest and paramedics say he had puncture wounds on his wrist from a possible snake bite.

Stickers on the back of the Thompson's car warn of venomous reptiles which the 911 caller alerted dispatch to.

"Can I tell you something? He has bumper stickers that say I brake for snakes. I don't know if he was bitten or anything," said the man who called 911 for help. A few minutes later he told dispatch that there was a container in the front seat that looked like it could house a snake.

Thompson worked at the Fish Bowl Pet Express in Temple with his mother. Animal Control officers searched his car and brush around the parking lot for any signs of venomous snakes. According to the city Animal Control found 1 bull frog, six tarantulas and one non-venomous brown snake.

Police say a cobra snake is unaccounted for. No other details were available about the snake other than it was missing from its cage inside Thompson's home. It was not found in Thompson's car.

Police called Tim Cole to the scene to help. He works with snakes and has for decades. Cole runs Austin Reptile Service.

"Things like this make the news because they don't happen very often. It's just a matter of people being responsible with what they are keeping," said Cole.

Cole cautions people not to worry.

"The biggest mistake that people make when they find a snake is they don't walk away," said Cole.

Cole has a complete gallery of snakes to help people identify them.  Click here for more information.