The Internet Went Wild When He Allegedly Kicked A Horse on Video. Now, A Nevada Veterinarian Has Been Found Dead

A Nevada veterinarian who was allegedly seen kicking a horse in a video that went viral on social media — and then reported missing — was just found dead at a lake near Las Vegas. 

Authorities discovered the body of Dr. Shawn Frehner, 56, on April 18, near the Boulder Islands at Lake Mead, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, KSNV and KTNV, who cited a statement from the National Park Service. 

Authorities did not announce a cause or manner of death for Frehner, who was reported missing nearly two weeks ago. According to the outlets, he was identified using dental records. 

The National Park Service had been leading an expansive search for Frehner, partnering with the Nevada Department of Wildlife and volunteers. 

According to the outlets, a missing persons report released by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated they were looking for Frehner because he left behind his wallet, keys and a cellphone inside his unoccupied truck found at Lake Mead. 

Frehner’s father, Rex Frehner said that his son did not have a history of medical or mental health conditions and “has never made any threats to hurt himself or anyone else,” according to a missing persons report obtained by the Las Vegas-Review Journal. 

Frehner’s disappearance came just days after he was seen allegedly kicking a horse in a viral video that spread across social media. On April 3, he was called to administer anesthetic shots for horses at a property located about 60 miles west of Las Vegas, Shawna Gonzalez, the property owner, told 8 News Now.

“I heard [my mother] yell, ‘Oh my God. He just kicked him,’” Gonzalez said, per the outlet. “Oh my God, Mom, he’s choking,” she added. “He wrapped the horse around his neck three times, and he kicked him in the head.”

Gonzalez said the horse was treated for abrasions to the skull and other injuries, per the outlet. She then pushed for animal cruelty charges, which led the Nye County Sheriff’s Office to open a criminal investigation against Frehner. 

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After the video circulated, Frehner responded to the allegations on social media. 

“I did not blatantly haul off and kick this horse as it appears in the video. That was not my intention at all,” Frehner said, per the Las Vegas-Review Journal. “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.” 

Gonzalez said in a text to the outlet that she was sorry to hear about Frehner’s death. 

“I had no idea this would happen,” Gonzalez wrote. “But I was not the one bullying. I am not sorry for standing up for my horse. I am their voice and will continue to be.”