Topline: Dr. Shawn Frehner had been missing since early April.
Published: April 23, 2025 7:00 am ET
Must Read
Dr. Shawn Frehner (via LinkedIn). Background: Screenshot of video obtained by KLAS.
LAS VEGAS, NV — Authorities have confirmed that a body discovered over the weekend in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area belongs to Dr. Shawn Frehner, a veterinarian who went viral for kicking a horse in the head.
According to the National Park Service, the search for Frehner began after his truck was found parked at Hemmenway Harbor on April 7, with his personal belongings — including his cellphone, wallet, and keys — still inside.
NPS launched a search operation shortly after.
On April 18, NPS officials located a body near the Boulder Islands area within Lake Mead. The Clark County Coroner’s Office later confirmed the identity as Dr. Frehner using dental records.
The cause and manner of his death have not been released, and the NPS has not provided further details.
According to KLAS, Frehner had recently faced public scrutiny and legal trouble after videos surfaced showing his treatment of a horse. One video, obtained by 8 News Now, appeared to show him jabbing a horse in the face after flushing its nose with a syringe — the latter being a standard veterinary procedure.
Another widely circulated video showed him kicking a horse in the head, which led to backlash and an investigation.
Following the incident, Frehner issued a public apology, stating the action was not meant to harm the animal but to reposition it so it could breathe and eventually get back on its feet for further treatment.
“I did not blatantly haul off and kick this horse as it appears in the video. That was not my intention at all,” Frehner wrote. “It was done simply to get the horse in a better position so that he could breathe and get up and move so I could again try to anesthetize… But yes, I did kick him right in the chin and I very much do apologize and wish this never happened.”
Nye County deputies were investigating Frehner for possible animal cruelty after a complaint was filed by the horse’s owner.
A missing person report filed on April 7 included a statement from Frehner’s father, Rex, who said he last spoke with his son around 9 a.m. on April 6. During the call, Shawn reportedly said he was struggling with one of the horses.
Frehner had also faced professional disciplinary action in the past. Records obtained by 8 News Now show that in 2016, the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners placed his veterinary license on probation. He agreed to a year-long suspension following allegations including improperly documenting medical records and distributing prescription medications in unmarked plastic bags without verifying dosages.
The investigation into Frehner’s death remains ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Body Found of Missing Veterinarian Who Went Viral for Kicking Horse in Head
Dr. Shawn Frehner had been missing since early April.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 23, 2025 7:00 am ET
Dr. Shawn Frehner (via LinkedIn). Background: Screenshot of video obtained by KLAS.
LAS VEGAS, NV — Authorities have confirmed that a body discovered over the weekend in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area belongs to Dr. Shawn Frehner, a veterinarian who went viral for kicking a horse in the head.
According to the National Park Service, the search for Frehner began after his truck was found parked at Hemmenway Harbor on April 7, with his personal belongings — including his cellphone, wallet, and keys — still inside.
NPS launched a search operation shortly after.
On April 18, NPS officials located a body near the Boulder Islands area within Lake Mead. The Clark County Coroner’s Office later confirmed the identity as Dr. Frehner using dental records.
The cause and manner of his death have not been released, and the NPS has not provided further details.
According to KLAS, Frehner had recently faced public scrutiny and legal trouble after videos surfaced showing his treatment of a horse. One video, obtained by 8 News Now, appeared to show him jabbing a horse in the face after flushing its nose with a syringe — the latter being a standard veterinary procedure.
Another widely circulated video showed him kicking a horse in the head, which led to backlash and an investigation.
Following the incident, Frehner issued a public apology, stating the action was not meant to harm the animal but to reposition it so it could breathe and eventually get back on its feet for further treatment.
“I did not blatantly haul off and kick this horse as it appears in the video. That was not my intention at all,” Frehner wrote. “It was done simply to get the horse in a better position so that he could breathe and get up and move so I could again try to anesthetize… But yes, I did kick him right in the chin and I very much do apologize and wish this never happened.”
Nye County deputies were investigating Frehner for possible animal cruelty after a complaint was filed by the horse’s owner.
A missing person report filed on April 7 included a statement from Frehner’s father, Rex, who said he last spoke with his son around 9 a.m. on April 6. During the call, Shawn reportedly said he was struggling with one of the horses.
Frehner had also faced professional disciplinary action in the past. Records obtained by 8 News Now show that in 2016, the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners placed his veterinary license on probation. He agreed to a year-long suspension following allegations including improperly documenting medical records and distributing prescription medications in unmarked plastic bags without verifying dosages.
The investigation into Frehner’s death remains ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Body Found of Missing Veterinarian Who Went Viral for Kicking Horse in Head
Dr. Shawn Frehner had been missing since early April.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 23, 2025 7:00 am ET
Dr. Shawn Frehner (via LinkedIn). Background: Screenshot of video obtained by KLAS.
LAS VEGAS, NV — Authorities have confirmed that a body discovered over the weekend in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area belongs to Dr. Shawn Frehner, a veterinarian who went viral for kicking a horse in the head.
According to the National Park Service, the search for Frehner began after his truck was found parked at Hemmenway Harbor on April 7, with his personal belongings — including his cellphone, wallet, and keys — still inside.
NPS launched a search operation shortly after.
On April 18, NPS officials located a body near the Boulder Islands area within Lake Mead. The Clark County Coroner’s Office later confirmed the identity as Dr. Frehner using dental records.
The cause and manner of his death have not been released, and the NPS has not provided further details.
According to KLAS, Frehner had recently faced public scrutiny and legal trouble after videos surfaced showing his treatment of a horse. One video, obtained by 8 News Now, appeared to show him jabbing a horse in the face after flushing its nose with a syringe — the latter being a standard veterinary procedure.
Another widely circulated video showed him kicking a horse in the head, which led to backlash and an investigation.
Following the incident, Frehner issued a public apology, stating the action was not meant to harm the animal but to reposition it so it could breathe and eventually get back on its feet for further treatment.
“I did not blatantly haul off and kick this horse as it appears in the video. That was not my intention at all,” Frehner wrote. “It was done simply to get the horse in a better position so that he could breathe and get up and move so I could again try to anesthetize… But yes, I did kick him right in the chin and I very much do apologize and wish this never happened.”
Nye County deputies were investigating Frehner for possible animal cruelty after a complaint was filed by the horse’s owner.
A missing person report filed on April 7 included a statement from Frehner’s father, Rex, who said he last spoke with his son around 9 a.m. on April 6. During the call, Shawn reportedly said he was struggling with one of the horses.
Frehner had also faced professional disciplinary action in the past. Records obtained by 8 News Now show that in 2016, the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners placed his veterinary license on probation. He agreed to a year-long suspension following allegations including improperly documenting medical records and distributing prescription medications in unmarked plastic bags without verifying dosages.
The investigation into Frehner’s death remains ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
