Hopefully once they release full results we'll know more. But I agree, it sounds suss. The snake owner could have easily killed them and asphyxiation could have been the same result.
First and foremost we shouldn't lose site that the tragedy here is that two kids lost there lives. I agree with ubermensch that cause of death could easily have come from the owner.
The second sad fact here is that this story is obviously popular by its rating on things like MSN where it is constantly a top three story for the last few days. Unfortunately this is all ammunition for those whom don't understand and see snakes as bad. The average joe cant differentiate between a Rock python and any other type of python or snake for that matter, all they are reading is "Snake/bad/kill/kids". The whole thing stinks from many different levels.
This same thing is happening with the child attacked by the bull mastiff cross, straight away words like these "breeds and others like them should not be permitted in the country". Its all very sad just when you think we have left the dark ages....... people are still reaching for there torches and pitch forks.