News13 Exclusive: Kangaroo Owner Speaks Out After Brother's Tragic Death on Loris Farm

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Over the past few weeks, Eric Slate decided against visiting the gym or engaging in activities that his family typically enjoyed.

Rather than doing anything else, he dedicated nearly every day to working at 5-Star Farm with its camels, donkeys, and other creatures, finding immense joy in their interactions and the affection exchanged.

"He would rise early and stay out here all day long. Ever since my business partner and I went our separate ways, Eric has been my pillar of support... I believe this activity has served as great therapeutic relief for him," said Eric's brother Robert during an exclusive interview with News13 on Sunday.

Eric, 52, died sometime between 8:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Saturday in an enclosure Occupied by Jack, a 4-year-old red kangaroo. The Horry County Coroner’s Office stated that Eric was discovered with "several blunt force traumas," leading to online theories suggesting he might have been fatally injured by the marsupial.

In less than 24 hours, the story had made international headlines.

Robert disputes claims of an attack, hoping an autopsy planned for later this week will provide more answers. He said Eric had been complaining of chest pains in the days leading up to his death.

Eric mentioned that his body had multiple scrapes and bruises, yet none were severe enough to suggest he was attacked by a kangaroo with intense violence.

But it was another detail that convinced Eric his brother didn’t meet a violent end.

"When I located my brother, he was smiling. In the end, I believe—along with our mother—that my brother was content, engaged in activities he enjoyed. Nobody will deprive us of this memory," Robert stated.

Jack had arrived at Robert’s property just two weeks from another farm.

Kangaroos are well-known for their strength, and Jack was equally powerful. However, he was also amiable, inquisitive, and gregarious, according to Robert.

“Eric loved Jack. Him and Jack were really good friends. They played a lot,” Robert said. “Jack wants to eat out of your hands, he wants to put his paws on your chest to hold him up.”

Robert said he and Eric spoke about overstimulation and being too aggressive — and neither man was with their animals, he added.

“I can say that Jack would come up and Eric would scratch his belly. Eric would jump around, and Jack would jump around,” he said.

While Robert was speaking, Jack jumped around behind him. The creature remains isolated at the farm as the probe into Eric’s demise proceeds.

Aggressiveness? Not seeing it. If Horry County had seen it, he wouldn’t still be around," Robert stated. "No blunt force trauma occurred, contrary to what some reports suggest.

Robert mentioned that kangaroo specialists will probably examine Jack and his environment over the next few days, yet he remains optimistic that the creature won't be taken away or harmed.

I and my partner understand that Eric's desires would have been for Jack to remain here. Neither myself nor my mother feels that this was deliberately orchestrated by Jack.

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