Scary: Dead snakes around 4 feet [2.4 m] long

A woman has been found without signs of life in the U.S. state of Indiana with a snake of the type piton wrapped around her neck about 4m long.

Laura Hurst, 36, was found without feeling after police were summoned to an estate in Oxford City.

140 snakes were found in a house believed to be used to house animals.

About 20 of the snakes belonged to Mrs. Hurst, who visited the property twice a week.

The house reportedly belongs to the Sheriff of Benton Don Munson County, who lives next door. He said he found Hurst lying on the floor, local Journal and Courier reported.

He told the newspaper that Mrs. Hurst's death was a tragic “axident” and that he was co-operative with all, the periscopi conveys.