In a tragic turn of events, Dr. Shawn D. Frehner, a Nevada veterinarian who went missing after a viral video appeared to show him kicking a horse, has died by suicide, according to the Clark County Coroner.
The incident, which drew widespread attention and online criticism, ended with Frehner’s body being found in Lake Mead, two weeks after his disappearance.
Body Found After Search at Lake Mead
Frehner disappeared in early April, shortly after the video circulated on social media. His body was discovered near the Boulder Islands area within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, as reported by KTNV-13.
The coroner confirmed that Frehner died by drowning, but listed Pentobarbital, a euthanasia drug commonly used in veterinary medicine, as a contributing factor. The drug’s presence suggests it may have impaired him before entering the water.
Viral Video Sparks Investigation and Harassment
The video at the center of the controversy appeared to show Frehner kicking and restraining a horse named Big Red. The incident allegedly took place on a private rescue property in Nye County, Nevada, where Frehner had been hired to sedate horses for medical treatment.
Shawna Gonzalez, the property owner’s daughter, claimed to witness the incident and described disturbing details, telling 8newsnow that Frehner had “wrapped the horse around his neck three times” and “kicked him in the head.”
As the video gained attention online, it also triggered a formal investigation by Nye County authorities. Meanwhile, Frehner’s family told Fox 5 that he began facing public harassment and intense online backlash following the video’s release.
Frehner’s Response to the Accusations
Before his disappearance, Frehner defended his actions in social media posts reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
He claimed that Big Red was aggressive and uncooperative, and that he had already administered sedatives in preparation for geld surgery. According to Frehner, the horse fell awkwardly, struggled to breathe, and he used his foot to adjust the horse’s position to help it recover.
“I did not blatantly haul off and kick this horse,” Frehner wrote. “It was done simply to get the horse in a better position so that he could breathe and get up and move.”
Use of Euthanasia Drug Raises Questions
The presence of Pentobarbital in Frehner’s system at the time of death suggests he may have ingested the drug willingly. Used mainly to euthanize animals, the drug is known to cause drowsiness, unconsciousness, and respiratory failure in humans when misused.
Though the primary cause of death was listed as drowning, the drug likely contributed to Frehner’s mental and physical state leading up to the incident.
A Tragic Ending and a Divided Public
The case has sparked mixed reactions. While some have condemned Frehner based on the video, others argue that his actions may have been misunderstood and taken out of context. Regardless, the public backlash he faced appears to have had a significant impact on his mental health in the days before his disappearance.
Frehner’s death has left many questions unanswered — about the events in the video, the role of online outrage, and how quickly public judgment can escalate into real-world consequences.