This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Hundreds Of Pythons Found In Man's Home After 'Smell Of Death' Complaints
A python, similar to what was found in the home. (Photo by Ryan M. Bolton/Shutterstock)
In a scene right out of a B-grade horror movie, up to 400 snakes, some of them pythons, were found slithering around a home belonging to an elementary school teacher.
Police served a warrant on the Santa Ana house after neighbors complained of a "smell of death" emanating from inside. When authorities entered the house, the place was crawling with snakes and rats, who were there to provide food for the snakes, according to City News Service. According to Cpl. Anthony Bertagna, the snakes were kept in "deplorable conditions" and many of them were already dead.
"Some (were) in boxes, some in crates and some crawling around," Bertagna said.
The man who owns the five-bedroom house has been identified as 53-year-old William Buchman, who is a school teacher at Mariners Elementary in Newport Beach, the L.A. Times reports. Neighbors told the Times that he had become increasingly withdrawn from society in the past few years. Neighbors also referred to him as the "rat man" due to the number of rat deliveries to his house. Buchman is currently in custody.
Police in Hazmat suits have been cleaning up the house today and are expecting to find more snakes, CNS reports. No doubt they are tired of all those motherfucking snakes in that motherfucking house (I'll show myself out).
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
