An 18-year-old honor roll student and competitive swimmer drowned in Lake Ray Hubbard after jumping from a railroad bridge with two other teens, one of whom now faces evidence tampering charges for allegedly discarding the victim's clothing and deleting text messages, according to the Rowlett Police Department.
Background
Daniel Erving was reported missing on April 13, four days before authorities discovered his body floating in the Rowlett area of Lake Ray Hubbard, a freshwater lake spanning four counties northeast of Dallas. The Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office identified the body and ruled Erving's death a drowning following an autopsy.
Investigators learned Erving had been last seen alive with Lucas Roper, 19, and a 16-year-old boy. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by Dallas-based ABC affiliate WFAA, the trio had gone fishing and swimming at an area of the lake near the railroad bridge running through the 6300 block of Miller Road in Rowlett.
Roper allegedly told investigators that he and Erving communicated via cellphone on the day they went to the lake. Erving picked up Roper and the younger teenager, and all three headed to the water together.
The Investigation
From the railroad bridge spanning Lake Ray Hubbard, all three teens jumped into the water below. When Erving ultimately drowned, his two companions did not seek help, police said. Instead, they fled the scene—taking Erving's vehicle and some of his other belongings, according to the affidavit.
The pair threw Erving's clothes into a stand of trees near the lake, investigators said. While driving away, the 16-year-old threw Erving's cellphone out the window at Roper's request, law enforcement reported. Detectives later recovered the victim's belongings after the 16-year-old showed them the location.
On April 20, Roper admitted to investigators that he panicked after Erving drowned, according to charging documents. The defendant also confessed to deleting all his text messages and phone calls with Erving because he knew there would be an investigation into the drowning death and wanted to avoid trouble, law enforcement said. Detectives seized Roper's cellphone and confirmed those communications had been deleted.
Roper is charged with tampering with physical evidence by allegedly discarding Erving's clothing and deleting communications, according to the affidavit. Both Roper and the 16-year-old are alleged to have tampered with evidence by disposing of Erving's cellphone. The 16-year-old has also been formally charged in the case.
Key Takeaways
- Daniel Erving, 18, was an honor roll student and member of his swim team at the time of his death on April 13
- Lucas Roper, 19, is charged with tampering with physical evidence in connection with the drowning
- The three teens jumped from a railroad bridge into Lake Ray Hubbard near Miller Road before Erving drowned
- Instead of seeking help, Roper and the 16-year-old allegedly fled with Erving's vehicle, clothes, and other belongings
- Roper admitted to deleting text messages and phone calls with Erving after the drowning
- The victim's family held a news conference calling for murder charges against both suspects
What's Next
Both defendants face formal proceedings in the case. Erving's family continues to demand more serious charges, with attorney Sean Daredia stating at a news conference that the circumstances of the healthy young athlete's death 'doesn't add up' and 'something smells off.' Rowlett police continue their investigation into the drowning incident.