The family of Daniel Erving, an 18-year-old honor student found dead in Lake Ray Hubbard, is demanding murder charges after authorities accused two teenagers of concealing evidence rather than reporting his drowning.
Erving was last seen leaving his Rowlett home on April 13 with only his cellphone, according to the Rowlett Police Department. His family reported him missing after he left behind his driver's license, money, and other personal belongings.
Three days later, Erving's body was recovered near the Paddle Point area of Lake Ray Hubbard. The Dallas County Medical Examiner ruled his death an accidental drowning, the Dallas Police Department confirmed.
Dallas police stated that detectives conducted a thorough investigation, including witness interviews and evidence collection, in coordination with the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office. Investigators determined that two individuals present at the lake failed to report the incident and later discarded Erving's belongings.
Arrest warrants were obtained for Lucas Roper, 19, and a juvenile suspect, both charged with tampering with physical evidence, a third-degree felony. Both have been arrested, and their cases will proceed through the criminal justice system. Police have declined to provide further details due to the ongoing investigation.
According to an arrest affidavit, Erving had gone to Lake Ray Hubbard with Roper and the juvenile on April 13. The three allegedly jumped into the water from a railroad bridge. The affidavit states Erving drowned after entering the water, but instead of calling 911, Roper and the juvenile allegedly discarded Erving's clothing, deleted messages from his cellphone, threw the phone from a moving vehicle, and left the scene.
During a press conference, Erving's family, joined by the civil rights organization Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), expressed their belief that unanswered questions remain and called for transparency, accountability, and a complete investigation. They urged the Dallas County District Attorney's Office to consider additional criminal charges if supported by the evidence.
Family attorney Sean Daredia questioned the narrative of an accidental drowning, asking why Erving's clothes were hidden, why the scene was fled, and why his cell phone was discarded. He encouraged the District Attorney's Office to present the case to a grand jury for potential homicide charges. Erving's mother, Tameca Erving, also questioned the actions of those present, stating that a reasonable person not guilty of a crime would not dispose of a victim's belongings. His sister, Mackenzie Erving, described him as a law-abiding young man with aspirations of joining the military.
NGAN President Dominique Alexander stated that the arrests were a significant step but emphasized the need for the investigation to continue wherever the evidence leads, calling for the Dallas County District Attorney's Office to pursue additional charges if warranted.
The family has also criticized the delay between Erving's death and the arrests, raising concerns about why law enforcement was not notified sooner and why no one returned to inform the family of the emergency. The Rowlett Police Department initially investigated Erving's disappearance before the case was transferred to the Dallas Police Department, which has jurisdiction over the death investigation.
Both departments stated they are cooperating to ensure the investigation's integrity. The Dallas Police Department is the lead agency in the case.