VIRGINIA BEACH – A woman was killed by her pet snake, according to the medical examiner.

Police believe Amanda Ruth Black, 25, was trying to give medication to her 10-foot long reticulated tiger python named Diablo.

Her husband returned home around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and found her on the floor in front of a large, empty snake cage in an upstairs bedroom of their Maracas Arch home.

The Medical Examiner said the cause of death was "mechanical asphyxia due to constriction by a boa constrictor."

Animal control officers were called to find the snake, which was in the same room.

The snake was extremely agitated at the time and required two animal control officers to restrain it, according to police.

Diablo was relinquished to Animal Control and signed over by its owner. In accordance with the owner’s wishes, the snake was euthanized Fright night.

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