A Las Vegas veterinarian, found dead in Lake Mead last month, reportedly died by suicide amid backlash over a viral video showing him kicking a horse.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Dr. Shawn Frehner, 56, injected himself with the euthanasia drug pentobarbital and drowned in the Nevada-Arizona reservoir, the Clark County Coroner and Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Wednesday, according to KTNV.
Authorities identified Frehner's body using dental records after recovering it near Boulder Islands on April 18. His death follows a tumultuous period sparked by his disappearance on April 6, shortly after footage surfaced of him abusing a horse he was treating.
Viral Video Triggers Outrage and Charges
The controversy began when a video captured Frehner striking a horse in the face while attempting to reposition it for treatment. The footage, which spread rapidly online, showed the veterinarian kicking the animal's chin, prompting widespread condemnation. The horse sustained skull abrasions but received treatment and survived.
Frehner addressed the incident in a statement to 8NewsNow, denying malicious intent. "I did not blatantly haul off and kick this horse as it appears in the video," he wrote. "It was done simply to get the horse in a better position so that he could breathe and get up." He acknowledged the kick, expressed regret, and apologized, but the damage was done. Facing felony animal abuse charges, Frehner vanished, intensifying public scrutiny.
Shawna Gonzalez, the horse's owner, expressed dismay during the search. "It's horrible, I never wished this upon him," she told 8NewsNow. "This is not what I wanted in the end at all." Despite her frustration, she hoped for his safe return.
Tragic Discovery of Veterinarian
Frehner's father raised concerns about his son's safety, citing the intense backlash from the video. He told investigators he was puzzled by Frehner's presence at Lake Mead, noting his son owned no boat. The search began in earnest after authorities found Frehner's truck abandoned near Hemenway Harbor, with his wallet, keys, and phone inside.
The National Park Service led the effort, combing the lake's waters for nearly two weeks. On April 18, they recovered Frehner's body, bringing a somber end to the search. The coroner's office later determined the cause of death, though the exact timing of his suicide remains unclear.
