A large, 100 pound python escaped from a pet store in Campbellton, New Brunswick yesterday, entered the apartment above the store through the ventilation system, and strangled two young boys as they slept in their bed.
Jean-Claude Savoie, the pet store owner, and his son live in the apartment above the pet store.
Authorities started conducting autopsies on the boys today. Canadian police are conducting a criminal investigation into the boys’ deaths.
Connor and Noah Barthe were visiting Savoie’s son. Savoie says that he didn’t hear anything Sunday night. He founds the boys’ bodies in the living room Monday morning.
"I can't believe this is real," Savoie told CBS News .
The large snake was approximately 4.3 meters (14.11 feet) long, RCMP Sgt. Alain Tremblay told CBS News . The snake weighed approximately 100 pounds.
A veterinarian put the snake to sleep.
Several people signed a petition to have the exotic pet store closed. Some of them were worried about the poor living conditions for the animals. The petition has since expired.
"It's very, very unusual and very tragic and difficult for everyone involved," Royal Canadian Mounted Police Const. Julie Rogers-Marsh told the Huffington Post .