A Dallas County grand jury has formally indicted 19-year-old Lucas Roper on charges of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence in connection with the drowning death of Daniel Erving at Lake Ray Hubbard.
Erving, a high school senior and swim team member, drowned in April after jumping from a bridge into the lake. According to the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s autopsy report, he surfaced once and called out for help before going under and never resurfacing.
The medical examiner ruled the death an accidental drowning. However, investigators later discovered that Roper and a second individual, identified only as a minor, took actions after Erving’s death that raised serious concerns.
Roper admitted to investigators that he panicked following the incident. Detectives say he disposed of Erving’s clothing, deleted all communications with Erving from his own cellphone, and along with the minor, threw Erving’s phone into a ditch.
Erving’s mother Tameka Erving has been vocal about her grief and frustration. “Why would you throw away his clothes and delete messages and not even call his mother?” she said publicly.
Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who is involved in the case, questioned the official findings. “If it was your child, would you say it was an accidental death or would you say it was a murder?” Crump said.
The family’s lead attorney Sean Daredia released a statement pushing back against the autopsy conclusions, arguing they rely entirely on accounts from the two individuals present on the bridge, the same people who discarded Erving’s belongings and never called for help. Daredia noted that even the medical examiner’s report acknowledges the cause and manner of death could be amended if new information surfaces.
A grand jury indictment means a panel of citizens reviewed the evidence and determined there is sufficient reason to proceed to trial. It is not a finding of guilt. Roper is expected to be arraigned and will face trial at a future date.
Dallas police stated that detectives continue to evaluate information as it is received and recently met with the Erving family to provide an update on the ongoing investigation. The department said it remains committed to keeping the family informed.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment citing the pending nature of the case. The identity of the second individual charged has not been released because that person is a minor.
The autopsy report’s own language leaves the door open for future revisions, a detail Erving’s legal team says confirms the investigation is far from over.
