Body Found at Lake Mead Identified as Dr. Shawn Frehner
Authorities have confirmed the identity of a body discovered in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area over the weekend as Dr. Shawn Frehner, a prominent veterinarian reported missing since April 6.
Timeline of Events
The search for Dr. Frehner initiated after his belongings—keys, wallet, and cellphone—were recovered from his truck parked at Hemmenway Harbor on April 7. Subsequently, park officials located his body near the Boulder Islands in the national recreation area on April 18.
Identity Confirmation and Investigation
On April 19, the Clark County coroner’s office utilized dental records to positively identify Frehner. However, details surrounding the cause and manner of his death remain undisclosed.
Recent Controversies
Prior to his disappearance, Dr. Frehner was embroiled in controversy after a video surfaced showing him appearing to kick a horse while administering anesthetic shots at a Nevada location. In response to the viral footage, he issued an apology, stating:
“I did not blatantly haul off and kick this horse as it appears in the video. That was not my intention at all. It was done simply to get the horse in a better position so that he could breathe and get up and move so I could again try to anesthetize.”
He acknowledged that he did kick the horse, expressing regret and wishing the incident had not occurred. Following this, he faced an investigation for potential animal cruelty stemming from a complaint made by the horse’s owner.
Background and Licensing Issues
Dr. Frehner’s veterinary license had previously come under scrutiny. Records indicate that in 2016, the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners placed his license on probation for a year due to several violations, including improper record-keeping and mishandling of prescription medications.
Family Concerns and Last Contacts
In the missing person report filed a day after his last known contact, Frehner’s father mentioned that their last conversation occurred on April 6, during which Frehner expressed difficulties with one of the horses he was treating.
As investigations continue, the community remembers Dr. Frehner not only for his contributions as a veterinarian but also for the controversies that arose in his final days. Further updates regarding the circumstances of his death are expected from law enforcement.
