North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By Ruben Lowman
The Horry County Coroner’s Office has officially concluded its investigation into the May 2025 death of a local man found inside a kangaroo and wallaby enclosure at 5 Star Farm in Loris.
Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard announced last Thursday, March 19, that the death of Eric Slate was accidental, following months of speculation regarding the role of a four-year old red kangaroo named Jack.
While the discovery of Slate’s body initially sparked rumors of an attack by the marsupial, forensic findings suggest a far more complex set of circumstances involving a fatal arterial injury, coupled with significant underlying health issues.
According to the autopsy results, Slate, 52, suffered multiple superficial scratches and a deeper, fatal laceration to the brachial artery in his upper arm.
Despite a thorough examination, investigators were unable to definitively determine the exact cause of the arterial damage.
Potential factors cited by the coroner’s office included a fall into the enclosure’s fencing, contact with gate screws or sharp signage or the claws of an animal.
Furthermore, it remains unclear whether Slate was standing or lying down when the scratches occurred or exactly how they were sustained.
The coroner’s office, along with permission from the family of the deceased, also released details of Slate’s extensive medical history to provide a clearer picture of his physical state at the time of the incident.
Slate was reportedly battling several advanced conditions, including severe heart, kidney and liver disease, as well as extensive lung disease and chronic alcoholism.
His brother, Robert Slate, the owner of the farm, had previously noted that Eric had been complaining of feeling unwell in the days leading up to his death and believed his brother’s failing health played a major role in the tragedy.
Following the incident, the kangaroo involved was placed in a 45-day quarantine to ensure public safety. Experts ultimately determined that Jack was a safe animal, and those who worked at 5 Star Farm maintained that the kangaroo never displayed unusual or aggressive behavior toward the victim.
The Slate family has described Eric as a dedicated animal lover who shared a strong, peaceful bond with the marsupials.
With the accidental ruling now finalized, the coroner’s office extended its condolences to the family, who have requested privacy as they move forward from the loss.
