Last month, veterinarians in Las Vegas discovered a tragic situation when one was found dead in a lake following a video that showed him violently kicking a horse. Dr. Sean Freener reportedly died from an overdose of the euthanasia drug pentobarbital, and his body was located in Lake Mead, a large reservoir that stretches between Nevada and Arizona. The Clark County Coroner confirmed these details.
Identifying him was possible through dental records, as the coroner’s office shared.
Frehner, who was 56 years old, disappeared on April 6 after footage of him abusing a horse—one he was supposed to help—went viral. He later posted an apology on Facebook, attempting to justify his actions before he vanished.
In his message, Freener stated, “I didn’t blatantly carry this horse out and kick it, as it appears in the video.” He clarified, “That wasn’t my intention at all,” claiming he was only trying to reposition the horse for better treatment. However, he admitted to having kicked the horse.
The horse sustained injuries, specifically abrasions to its skull, but was treated.
At that time, veteran veterinarians were facing potential felony charges for animal cruelty related to this incident.
Frehner’s father expressed his concerns about his son’s well-being amid the backlash following the video. The horse’s owner, Shona Gonzalez, described the situation as “terrifying” and expressed her hopes for Freener’s safety, stating, “It’s horrifying, I never wanted this from him, I didn’t want this from anyone.”
Authorities initiated searches at Hemenway Harbor in Lake Mead after they found Freener’s belongings—wallet, keys, and phone—abandoned near the water’s edge. His father mentioned he was puzzled as to why his son would go to the lake, as he did not own a boat.
The National Park Service ultimately recovered Freener’s body near the Boulder Islands on April 18th. The exact circumstances surrounding his death are still unclear.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, please reach out for help. In New York City, you can contact 1-888-NYC-Well for confidential support. For those outside the city, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24/7 at 988 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
