Two teenagers have been charged with allegedly hiding evidence connected to the death of an 18-year-old Texas man who authorities say accidentally drowned in a lake.
Daniel Erving was last seen leaving his home on Woodlands Trail in Dallas at around 4:45 p.m. on April 13. Three days later, his body was found near the Paddle Point area of Lake Ray Hubbard, according to the Rowlett Police Department.
Following an investigation by the Dallas Police Department, authorities arrested Lucas Roper, 19, and a 17-year-old suspect on July 9. Both are accused of tampering with physical evidence connected to Erving’s death, according to reports from NBC 5 DFW, CBS News and ABC News.
An arrest affidavit obtained by the outlets states that Erving went to Lake Ray Hubbard with Roper and the 17-year-old on the day he disappeared.
Investigators believe the three teens jumped into the water from a railroad bridge near Miller Road, where Erving is believed to have drowned.
Authorities allege that Roper and the younger suspect fled the scene in Erving’s car without reporting what happened. They are also accused of throwing away his clothes and cellphone.
Roper allegedly admitted that he deleted text messages between himself and Erving, according to 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,” Rowlett Police Department spokesperson Erika M. Brown told CBS News. “As a result, investigators obtained arrest warrants for Lucas Roper, 19, and a juvenile suspect.”
The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Erving’s death an accidental drowning, Brown confirmed.
Erving’s family, however, says they are not satisfied with that explanation and is demanding greater transparency from investigators. They are also calling for murder charges to be considered.
“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?” Erving’s mother, Tameca Erving, told CBS News.
The family’s attorney, Sean Daredia, also questioned the official account of what happened.
“Daniel Irving was an honor roll student. He was a member of his swim team. He was a strong, healthy young athlete,” Daredia said. “For these two suspects to say he drowned and they left. It doesn’t add up; something smells off to us.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
