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Two teens in Texas, Lucas Roper and an unnamed juvenile, have been arrested months after allegedly tampering with evidence in the drowning death of 18-year-old Daniel Erving.
According to ABC News, 19-year-old Lucas Roper and a juvenile were arrested. And charged with tampering with physical evidence on Monday, July 13. Per the outlet, the charge is a third-degree felony. Furthermore, their arrests reportedly arrived a day after the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death of 18-year-old Daniel Erving an accidental drowning.
“The Dallas Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Daniel Erving. This was a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a young person,” the department’s spokesperson, Erika M. Brown, reportedly asserted.
According to the outlet, Daniel Erving was reported missing by the Rowlett Police Department. This, reportedly on April 13. Furthermore, Erving was last seen with Lucas Roper and the unnamed juvenile at Lake Ray Hubbard. Per the outlet, investigators believe the trio jumped into the lake from a nearby railroad bridge. Amid this, Erving allegedly drowned.
However, instead of contacting authorities, Roper and the juvenile allegedly fled the scene in Erving’s car.
“During the investigation, detectives identified evidence that two individuals who were present at the lake failed to report the incident and later discarded items belonging to Daniel,” Brown reportedly added.
Specifically, authorities believe Roper and the juvenile tossed “Erving’s clothing into a tree line near the bridge.” Additionally, they allegedly threw the 18-year-old’s phone from his vehicle as they drove away. Both the clothes and the phone were obtained by police after the juvenile allegedly revealed their whereabouts.
During a voluntary interview, Roper reportedly admitted to police that he “panicked” after Erving drowned. And he said he even deleted communication from Erving’s phone because he “was aware that there would be an investigation.” Per Roper, he “did not want to get into trouble.”
Per the outlet, the case surrounding the death of Daniel Erving remains under investigation as the two teens face their charges. Meanwhile, the case has drawn comparisons to the ongoing investigation into the death of Mississippi teen Nolan Xavier Wells.
Nolan Wells and Daniele Erving stories are similar smhh.
. (@misstankk) July 13, 2026
First, there was Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old who went missing and was later found dead in the water near Horn Island, Mississippi, after a July 4 boat trip with friends. His family questions the circumstances and has raised concerns about inconsistencies in witness accounts.
Now, pic.twitter.com/3kMnCFAszbSKI (@skiistiredasf) July 13, 2026
As The Shade Room previously reported, Nolan Xavier Wells was reported missing. This, after taking a trip to Horn Island with three white male friends on July 4. On July 6, his body was recovered on the north side of the island. However, questions have since arisen. This, about why his body was not located during an earlier search. Or why he allegedly chose to stay on the island when his friends were leaving. Furthermore, questions have also arisen about why texts appear to have been deleted from his phone and whether the teen ultimately drowned.
