A Florida man died after consuming dozens of live cockroaches during a contest to win a python, according to an autopsy report. Edward Archbold, 32, collapsed and died shortly after the event at a pet store in Deerfield Beach, Florida, in October.
The Broward County medical examiner ruled the death an accident caused by asphyxia. The report stated that Archbold died of 'asphyxia due to choking and aspiration of gastric contents'. Tests for drugs were negative.
The contest was a promotional event at the Ben Siegel Reptile Store. The owner, Ben Siegel, expressed remorse, saying, 'We feel terribly awful.' He noted that Archbold seemed eager to show off and did not appear unwell before the competition.
A lawyer for the store stated that all contestants had signed disclaimers accepting responsibility for participating in the contest. The grand prize was a python, which Archbold had planned to sell to a friend.
