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CHATTANOOGA TIMES FREE PRESS (Tennessee) 31 January 11 Snakebite death puzzles experts (Kate Harrison)
Reptile experts and wildlife officials were stunned by the news that an East Ridge man died Saturday after being bitten by a copperhead snake.
Wade Westbrook, 26, was bitten on his upper right arm while handling a copperhead his friend brought over, according to East Ridge Police.
"It's extremely unusual for someone to die from a copperhead bite. It is especially unusual for someone to die as quickly as he did. And it is very rare for someone in a metropolitan area to succumb to a bite. Usually they are able to get help in time," said Dan Hicks, spokesman for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, which is conducting a follow-up investigation along with East Ridge Police. "The people at his home said he was blue in the face after 10 minutes."
Emergency medical personnel arrived at the house at 1058 Blanton Drive around 8 p.m. They attempted CPR on Westbrook, then took him to Erlanger hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The snake also was taken to the hospital so physicians would know how to treat Westbrook. Physicians confirmed that the snake was a copperhead, East Ridge police said Sunday night.
The man who literally wrote the book on Southeastern snakes said copperhead fatalities are "rare to nonexistent."
"If he was 26 and healthy, it is highly unlikely that one bite could kill him," said Dr. Whit Gibbons, emeritus ecology professor at the University of Georgia and co-author of "Snakes of the Southeast."
"I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but it would be a first," Gibbons said.
Because of this, Hicks said his agency is not verifying that Westbrook actually died from a snakebite until an autopsy is completed. He said it is possible that some other factor was involved, such as some pre-existing condition.
Westbrook had several exotic snakes and native turtles in his home, Hicks said.
"According to his wife, it seems he was a wildlife enthusiast who had taken it to the next level," said Hicks.
East Ridge Police spokesman Erik Hopkins said Westbrook's friend brought the copperhead over so Westbrook could determine the snake's sex.
Westbrook's Facebook page says he is interested in books that relate to "anything reptile."
Tennessee Aquarium herpetologist Courtney Lewis said Sunday that copperheads usually are hibernating in winter.
"Usually if you leave them alone, they leave you alone. Copperheads typically only bite humans if they feel threatened," she explained.
Hicks said in Tennessee it is illegal to take any native species out of its habitat.
East Ridge Animal Control took the other reptiles from the home. The copperhead has been handed over to the TWRA.
Hicks said the copperhead probably will be given to a wildlife refuge.
Westbrook was the father of one. His widow could not be reached for comment Sunday afternoon.
"She's doing the best she can, considering the situation," Hicks said. "I think she was ready to get rid of the menagerie."
Snakebite death puzzles experts

WTVC (Chattanooga, Tennessee) 31 January 11 Man Dead From Snake Bite Had Allergic Reaction (Jessica Oh)
Newschannel 9 has confirmed that 26-year-old Wade Westbrook died after having an allergic reaction from the copperhead snake venom. East Ridge police spokesperson Erik Hopkins said that doctors confirmed that Westbrook suffered an allergic reaction to the bite.
Authorities and experts were puzzled by the death because copperhead venom is only mildly venomous. News of the allergic reaction is helping authorities better understand what happened.
According to police, Westbrook's friend Chris, brought a copperhead he found outdoors to Westbrook's house on Saturday night asking Westbrook to check the gender of the snake. The copperhead bit Wesbrook once in the upper arm and that bite eventually lead to his death.
Man Dead From Snake Bite Had Allergic Reaction

http://www.newschannel9.com/news/westbrook-998271-copperhead-snake.html

UPDATE: Arrest Made in Connection to Snakebite Death
February 03, 2011 12:38 PM

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has made an arrest in connection with the death of Wade Westbrook after he was bitten by a copperhead snake Jan. 29. Westbrook died from anaphylactic shock following the bite, the same thing which can kill individuals stung by a honeybee.

TWRA wildlife officers have arrested Chuck Hurd for a total of 48 wildlife violations. At a 3 pm news conference in they said he had 12 native poisonous snakes in his possession. He is charged with fours counts per snake. They believe Hurd has been illegally selling snakes since 2005. They say more charges are possible against Hurd, and others could be charged in the case as well. Hurd is scheduled for his first court appearance in Hamilton County General Sessions Court Monday, Feb. 7 at 1:30.

According to his website, Hurd is a snake expert and consultant. It is believed that he provided the snake which killed Westbrook.

There were conflicting stories of why the copperhead was at Westbrook's house in the first place.

Police said were told by Westbrook's wife, Stephanie that Westbrook's friend who only identified himself to police as "Chris," found a copperhead outdoors and brought it into Westbrook's home on Saturday night, asking Westbrook to determine the gender of the snake. It's an explanation that puzzled authorities and experts because copperheads are not known to be outdoors in this time of year. However, "Chris" told Newschannel 9 that explanation was false.

He declined to go on camera because of the ongoing investigation but said the copperhead belonged to Westbrook and that Mrs. Westbrook made up the story because she thought her husband would get in trouble.

Copperheads are illegal to possess in the state of Tennessee.

I think that it's sad that a young man lost his life. I think it is also sad that the alleged Authorities in Tenn are in a sense blaming the other man for the formers death. Four counts PER snake???? and if he has been illegally selling for five years how come no arrest ?
These days if something bad happens even if it was really just an accident, someone must go to Jail. The man who died was an adult the other man did not force him to hold the snake. What happened to being responsible for your own actions.
S