Nevada vet’s cause of death revealed.
The Nevada veterinarian seen in a viral video allegedly kicking a horse has been found dead.
Viral video explained.
This comes just weeks after the release of a controversial viral video.
The now-infamous video allegedly shows Frehner kicking a horse in the head while attempting to administer medication.
“He wrapped the horse around his neck three times, and he kicked him in the head,” Shawna Gonzalez told KLAS.
Gonzalez reported that the horse suffered abrasions and other injuries to its skull and neck after the incident.
Dr. Frehner had worked for years in the Nevada veterinary circuit, often servicing large animals in rural counties.
Known by locals for his hands-on work with horses and cattle, his career took a nosedive after the video was released.
Social media lit up with outrage, with thousands of users demanding his license be revoked and charges filed.
Frehner’s name was trending on Twitter and featured in Reddit forums condemning his behavior.
As pressure mounted, animal rights groups began petitioning for legal action and stricter vet regulations in Nevada.
Vet’s defence clarified.
Following the incident, Gonzalez filed a complaint with the Nye County Sheriff’s Office, triggering a criminal investigation.
Frehner took to Facebook in the days after the backlash, stating the kick was misinterpreted and meant to help the horse.
“It was done simply to get the horse in a better position so that he could breathe,” Frehner explained in a now-deleted post.
“I’m sorry this happened,” he said in a text, “but I’m not sorry for standing up for my horse. I am their voice.”
Timeline of disappearance traced.
Frehner was officially reported missing in early April, shortly after the video surfaced online.
His wallet, keys, and phone were all discovered inside his abandoned truck parked near the lake.
The timeline shows Frehner vanished just days after the video spread on Facebook, TikTok, and Reddit.
Cause of death confirmed.
Authorities confirmed that the body is that of 56-year-old Dr. Shawn Frehner, identified through dental records after being discovered near the Boulder Islands at Lake Mead.
His body was located on April 18, nearly two weeks after he was reported missing, according to multiple news outlets.
The official cause of death has now been revealed as drowning, with the euthanasia drug Pentobarbital playing a contributing role.
The Clark County Coroner has ruled the manner of death a s******, citing both physical evidence and toxicology reports.
A large-scale search operation led by the National Park Service ended when Frehner’s remains were found on federal land.
Pentobarbital—commonly used in animal euthanasia—was detected in his body, per the coroner’s office.
According to the National Library of Medicine, the drug is used to euthanize animals and can be fatal in high doses.
Despite the intense fallout, Gonzalez told reporters, “I had no idea this would happen.”
The Clark County Coroner did not respond to requests for further comment following the release of Frehner’s cause of death.
The Nye County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t closed its animal cruelty investigation, despite Frehner’s death.
Viral scandal ends in tragedy.
What began as a heated online debate has now turned into a case of confirmed s****** and unanswered questions.
Authorities say Frehner’s s****** followed weeks of scrutiny and public shaming.
Activists are now calling for continued accountability in vet practices despite the tragic turn in this case.
As of now, no formal charges have been filed, and the investigation remains active.
His death leaves behind a viral controversy, a grieving community, and a national debate on animal cruelty and online justice.