Two teenagers in Texas were charged with concealing evidence linked to an 18-year-old’s suspected drowning in April.
The Rowlett Police Department said in a news release that Daniel Erving was last seen at his home in Dallas around 4:45 p.m. on April 13. Three days later, he was found dead from a “possible drowning” near the Paddle Point area of Lake Ray Hubbard.
The Dallas Police Department launched an investigation into Erving’s death and ultimately arrested Lucas Roper and a 17-year-old suspect on Thursday, July 9, for allegedly tampering with physical evidence in connection with the case, according to ABC News.
Erving, 18, was visiting Lake Ray Hubbard with Roper, 19, and the 17-year-old – whose name has not been revealed because he’s a minor – on the day he went missing, according to an affidavit viewed by the outlet. The three teens then jumped into the water before Erving reportedly drowned.
After the apparent drowning, investigators claimed that the suspects got rid of Erving’s clothes and phone before they fled the scene in his car. Roper also allegedly admitted to authorities that he deleted text messages between him and Erving, per the affidavit.
“During the investigation, detectives identified evidence that two individuals who were present at the lake failed to report the incident and later discarded items belonging to Daniel,” department spokesperson Erika M. Brown said in a statement to ABC News. “As a result, investigators obtained arrest warrants for Lucas Roper, 19, and a juvenile suspect.”
Brown also confirmed that the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Erving’s cause and manner of death was accidental drowning.
In light of the arrests, Erving’s family has expressed their need for transparency in the investigation and they have also asked that authorities pursue murder charges against the two teens.
“A reasonable-minded person would know, if you are not guilty of a crime, why would you throw away his clothes and delete messages and not even call his mother?” Tameca Erving, Erving’s mother, told CBS News.
Meanwhile, the family’s attorney, Sean Daredia, shared insight into who Daniel was as a person. In addition to being “an honor roll student,” Daniel was “a member of his swim team” and was a “strong, healthy young athlete.”
“For these two suspects to say he drowned and they left. It doesn’t add up; something smells off to us,” Daredia said.
It’s not currently clear if Roper or the 17-year-old suspect have entered pleas or retained legal counsel following their arrests. The investigation into the case remains ongoing.
