UPDATE: A Sad Ending - Missing Pet Python From Lacey Found Dead

LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - Teri McKenna never stopped looking for her missing ball python Nola, who was like one of the family.

Nola was found dead on Wednesday by a man on a Jet-Ski who had read the story about the missing snake on Patch. He fished the snake out of Barnegat Bay in Ortley Beach and sent McKenna pictures of her pet.

"Almost certainly her," McKenna posted on Facebook. "We're glad to know she had a grand adventure living the way she was meant to, in the "wild", and died a natural death that was certainly better than freezing to death. Thank you to everyone that sent good wishes."

Original Story -Nola the ball python is missing and her desperate owner needs to find her before the weather turns any cooler.

"She will die if she doesn't find warmth in another few degrees dropped," Teri McKenna said on her Facebookpage. "I'm trying to reach as many people as possible."

This isn't the first time McKenna has posted on Facebook trying to find her pet. She has been looking all summer.

"I posted all over the place when I lost her," she said.

Nola does not bite anything larger than mice and does not bite people, McKenna said.

"She might startle, but won't hurt you," she said in the post. "NOT poisonous in any way. Very human friendly, was handled constantly."

McKenna's children and their friends often carried the snake around with them, wrapped around their arms or even their necks, she said.

The last time the snake was seen was on Sept. 4, near Mill Creek Park in Bayville. The people who spotted Nola couldn't catch her. They said they approached her, shined a flashlight on her and she didn't shy away, McKenna said.

"That travel distance is entirely possible," McKenna said. "If anyone sees her, please grab her. Literally pick her up and put her in a pillow case. I will come get her IMMEDIATELY."

Nola is about 2.5 to three feet long and has beautiful markings. Ball pythons have distinctive heads, she said.

If you see Nola, please contact Teri at 609-709-8899 or Jimi at 484-486-0016.

Photos: Courtesy of Teri McKenna