In a startling and highly unusual incident, authorities in South Carolina are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered inside an animal enclosure that housed kangaroos and wallabies. The tragic discovery was made on Friday, when 52-year-old Eric Slate was found unresponsive at his property, a private rural residence known as 5 Star Farm, situated along Highway 746 near Loris in Horry County.
According to a statement from the Horry County Police Department, officers responded to the scene after receiving a call requesting a welfare check at the farm. Upon arrival, emergency personnel located Slate’s body inside an animal enclosure that contained multiple exotic marsupials, including wallabies and kangaroos—species native to Australia and rarely found in such environments in the United States.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of death, but have noted that the circumstances are unusual and the presence of potentially dangerous exotic animals raises numerous safety and legal questions. The animals themselves did not appear to be aggressive when officials arrived, but the nature of the enclosure, the potential for injury, and Slate’s cause of death are all being investigated. No signs of foul play have been publicly reported at this stage.
The Horry County Coroner’s Office is conducting a thorough autopsy to determine the specific cause and time of death, while animal control and wildlife officials are working to assess the health and condition of the animals on the property. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and other relevant agencies have also been contacted to evaluate whether proper permits and care standards were being maintained at 5 Star Farm.
Eric Slate was reportedly known in the local community for maintaining a variety of exotic and farm animals. His property, 5 Star Farm, is believed to be a private facility, not open to the public, although neighbors have occasionally noted the presence of unusual animals behind fenced areas. It remains unclear whether Slate had any professional background in animal husbandry or exotic wildlife care.
Local residents have expressed a mix of shock and concern following the discovery. “We had no idea he had kangaroos or anything like that,” said one neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous. “It’s just tragic. You never expect to hear something like this happening around here.”
This incident has sparked renewed debate over the private ownership of exotic animals, particularly species that may pose a danger or require highly specialized care. While some states have strict regulations prohibiting the private possession of certain exotic animals, South Carolina is known for relatively lenient laws in this area. Animal welfare organizations have long pushed for tighter oversight and licensing requirements, citing both animal welfare concerns and potential risks to human safety.
Officials have stated that the animals will be safely relocated if necessary, depending on the outcome of the investigation and any findings related to Slate’s ability to care for them appropriately.
As the community mourns the unexpected loss of Eric Slate, authorities continue to investigate what led to this bizarre and tragic event. The incident remains under active investigation, and more information is expected to be released in the coming days as autopsy results and findings from wildlife officials are made available.
