Dr. Shawn Frehner, a 56-year-old veterinarian from Nevada, was found dead near the Boulder Islands in Lake Mead on April 18, 2025. His disappearance had been reported two weeks earlier after he was last seen at the lake, where his truck was found abandoned with his personal belongings inside. Authorities have not released the cause or manner of death but identified him using dental records. Just days before his disappearance, Frehner was allegedly seen in a viral video kicking and choking a horse while administering anesthetic shots, prompting a criminal investigation by the Nye County Sheriff’s Office for suspected animal cruelty.
The incident occurred on April 3, 2025, at a property in Pahrump, Nevada, where Frehner was called to administer anesthetic shots for horses. Property owner Shawna Gonzalez claimed she witnessed Frehner kicking a horse named Big Red and wrapping something around its neck, resulting in injuries to the animal. Her daughter recorded the incident, prompting Gonzalez to push for criminal charges. The Nye County Sheriff’s Office confirmed an active investigation, though no arrests had been made.
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,” he wrote. “It was done simply to get the horse in a better position so …
Frehner’s disappearance came shortly after the video’s release. His truck was found abandoned near Lake Mead, with his wallet, keys, and cellphone inside. The National Park Service, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, and volunteers led an extensive search for Frehner. Authorities discovered his body on April 18, 2025, and identified him using dental records. The cause of death has not been announced.
Frehner’s father, … , stated that his son did not have … .”
Gonzalez expressed sorrow over Frehner’s death, stating, “I had no idea this would happen. But I was not the one bullying … .”
Frehner received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine … and started his own business in Las … the following year. In 2016, he had his license suspended for a year, and officials in Nevada had previously put him on probation over how he had handed out medication.
Lake Mead, where Frehner was found, spans the Nevada-Arizona border and is the largest reservoir in the … . The area has been the focus of several past discoveries of human remains.
The incident has sparked discussions about the pressures faced by professionals under public scrutiny and the importance of mental health support. It also highlights the need for proper handling and care of animals, as well as the responsibilities of those entrusted with their well-being.
