Nathaniel Charles Snell, a 32-year-old man from Arlington, Texas, tragically died on July 20, 2020, near Tyler State Park. Snell was shot by his partner, Robert Ernst Price, 51, of Arlington, after an argument erupted between the two. The dispute began when Price discovered child pornography on Snell's device. The incident occurred early in the morning, and Snell was found unresponsive at the Exxon Food Mart convenience store.
Despite attempts to revive him, Snell succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Following the shooting, Price was arrested and charged with murder. He was held on $500,000 bail and awaited trial while in custody. During the investigation, it was revealed that Price and Snell were in a romantic relationship and had been sharing a room in an Arlington house. The argument that led to the shooting was intense, and Price used a stolen gun to commit the crime.
Price's murder charge was eventually dismissed after he died of natural causes while awaiting trial in the Smith County Jail. Price had been suffering from numerous medical issues and tested positive for COVID-19 shortly before his death. The Texas Rangers conducted an investigation into Price's death, but it was determined that his death was due to illness or natural causes, specifically kidney and liver failure.
The case highlighted the complexities of domestic violence and the tragic consequences that can arise from such disputes. The dismissal of the murder charge due to Price's death left many questions unanswered and underscored the challenges of achieving justice in cases involving intimate partner violence.
In summary, Nathaniel Charles Snell, a 32-year-old man, was fatally shot by his partner, Robert Ernst Price, after an argument over child pornography. Price was arrested and charged with murder but died of natural causes before the trial could proceed, leading to the dismissal of the charges.