North Carolina Mayor’s Wife Recovering After Dangerous Copperhead Snake Bite

The wife of Monroe, North Carolina Mayor Robert Burns is recovering at home after a frightening encounter with one of the state’s most common venomous reptiles. Lauren Burns was bitten by a large copperhead snake on their property Tuesday evening, prompting an immediate rush to the emergency room and hours of medical monitoring.

“She is in a lot of pain, probably more than I’ve ever seen her in,” the Republican mayor told reporters on Friday. “We’ve had six children, and I’ve also seen her with kidney stones. I’ve seen it all, and she is in excruciating pain right now.”

The incident occurred while Burns was grilling outdoors and his wife was walking near a rope swing in a wooded area of their property while speaking with her father on the phone. Suddenly, Mayor Burns heard his wife call out in distress.

“All I heard was, ‘Babe, it’s not good, this is not good,’ and I’m like, ‘Are you okay?'” he recalled. “She ran around the side of the house, and she’s like, ‘Babe, I think I got bit by a snake.'”

Using his cell phone flashlight, Burns discovered two distinct puncture wounds on his wife’s left ankle that were actively bleeding. The couple returned to the area and found what they believed to be the culprit – a copperhead approximately four feet long and “about as thick as my wrist to my forearm,” according to Burns.

The mayor noted that their 14-year-old daughter had walked barefoot in the same area just moments before the bite occurred, possibly even stepping over the snake without realizing it was there.

“These are the types of snakes that don’t run,” Burns explained. “They don’t flee… they stand their ground.”

At the hospital, medical staff monitored Lauren’s condition for several hours, tracking her vitals and consulting with poison control specialists as swelling progressed from her foot up her leg. While the bite caused significant pain and inflammation, her condition eventually stabilized.

After careful consideration of the potential risks, the family decided against using anti-venom treatment. Lauren was discharged to recover at home, where they are currently managing her pain and monitoring her condition.

The copperhead snake (Agkistrodon contortrix) is overwhelmingly the most common venomous snake in North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, it accounts for more than 90% of venomous snakebites in the state. In many urban areas, it is the only venomous snake species present.

Wildlife experts note that copperheads rely heavily on camouflage, making them difficult to spot against leaf litter and forest floors. Unlike some snake species that flee when approached, copperheads often remain motionless, increasing the risk of accidental encounters.

While copperhead bites are rarely fatal for healthy adults, they can cause intense pain, tissue damage, and in some cases, allergic reactions. Medical treatment typically includes wound care, pain management, and monitoring for complications.

Mayor Burns, who has been sharing updates about his wife’s condition on social media, said he’s speaking publicly about the incident to raise awareness about snake safety as warmer weather approaches.

“Any snake bite, you want to take seriously,” he advised residents. “Because you don’t really know, especially if you don’t get eyes on it.”

As the Burns family focuses on Lauren’s recovery, they’ve expressed gratitude for the community’s response. “We’re a busy family with a lot going on right now, but we truly cherish your prayers and are grateful for all the support, texts, calls, emails and well wishes,” Burns said.