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Honor Student Drowns; Friends Accused of Hiding Evidence
14 Jul
Summary
- Two teens face charges for tampering with evidence in a drowning.
- The family of the deceased honor student is demanding murder charges.
- Suspicious actions raise questions about the accidental drowning ruling.
The family of Daniel Erving, an 18-year-old honor student who drowned in Lake Ray Hubbard, is demanding murder charges. Erving was last seen on April 13 and his body was recovered three days later. The medical examiner ruled his death an accidental drowning.
Dallas police arrested two individuals, 19-year-old Lucas Roper and a juvenile, charging them with tampering with physical evidence. They are accused of failing to report the incident and discarding Erving's belongings, including his clothing and cellphone.
Family attorney Sean Daredia stated that the circumstances, such as discarding clothes and fleeing the scene, contradict an accidental drowning. An independent investigative team is examining the case, with the family urging prosecutors to consider additional charges.
Erving's mother expressed disbelief that anyone would hide her son's belongings if the death were accidental. His sister described him as a young man with dreams of military service. The family also criticized the months-long delay between Erving's death and the arrests.
