The family of Daniel Erving, an 18-year-old honor student from Texas, is urging for murder charges after his body was found in a Dallas-area lake. This follows police accusations that two teenagers concealed evidence instead of reporting the drowning.
Erving was last seen at 4:45 p.m. on April 13, after leaving his home in Rowlett. His family, noting he left only with his cellphone and not his driver’s license or money, reported him missing. Authorities discovered his body three days later near Lake Ray Hubbard’s Paddle Point.
The Dallas County Medical Examiner ruled the death an accidental drowning. However, Dallas police revealed that during their investigation, they found two individuals at the lake who did not report the incident and discarded Erving’s belongings. Arrest warrants were issued for Lucas Roper, 19, and another juvenile, charging them with Tampering with Physical Evidence, a third-degree felony.
Erving’s family questions the accidental ruling. During a news conference organized by the Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), they demanded a thorough investigation. They want the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office to consider more charges based on evidence.
“If it’s an accident, why hide the clothes? Why flee the scene? Why toss Daniel Erving’s cell phone out the car?” asked the family’s attorney, Sean Daredia. He urged witnesses to share any information.
Daniel’s mother, Tameca Erving, expressed disbelief over the behavior of those at the scene. “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?” she asked.
Erving’s sister highlighted his aspirations, stating he wished to serve in the military. “When it’s a life-or-death situation, you are to render aid. Someone needs to be held accountable,” she emphasized.
Dominique Alexander, NGAN President, recognized the arrests but stressed the need for continued examination of the evidence. “If the evidence supports additional charges, then those charges should be pursued. Justice demands nothing less,” he stated.
The family criticized the delay between Erving’s death and the subsequent arrests. NGAN questioned why law enforcement wasn’t promptly notified and Erving’s family not immediately informed of the emergency. They also raised concerns about the disposal of his personal items.
The Rowlett Police Department first investigated Erving’s disappearance. Following the recovery of his body, the Dallas Police Department took over as the death occurred within city limits. Rowlett police continue to support Dallas investigators, maintaining confidentiality to preserve the investigation’s integrity.