Death of Austin Teen Found With Cobra Bites Ruled Suicide

The death of an 18-year-old pet store worker found unresponsive in a North Austin parking lot with cobra bites has been ruled a suicide.

An autopsy determined Grant Thompson had multiple bites on his arms when he was found in cardiac arrest July 14 in a vehicle near a home improvement store. Thompson died later at a hospital.

Thompson had a snake, several tarantulas and an empty container that housed the cobra in his vehicle. Another driver later found the cobra dead near the store after animal control officials searched for several days. [[316329341,C]]

A coroner found no evidence that Thompson tried to pull away from the snake as it struck.

Authorities said Thompson was passionate about animals and worked at pet store his mother owns in Temple.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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