On May 28, 2024, 57-year-old San Antonio resident Robert Eugene Hawes was found deceased at his home. Hawes, a certified arborist with over three decades of experience at TruGreen and owner of "A Cutt Above the Rest Tree and Landscape Service," was discovered by his wife in their garage, the victim of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In the months leading up to his death, Hawes faced serious legal challenges.
He was on trial for three counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child, charges he consistently denied. The jury began deliberations on Friday, May 24, 2024, but adjourned for the Memorial Day weekend without reaching a verdict. They reconvened on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, and concluded deliberations within a few hours. Tragically, that same morning, before the verdict was announced, Hawes took his own life. Unbeknownst to him, the jury had acquitted him of all charges.
The circumstances surrounding Hawes' death highlight the profound personal toll that legal proceedings can exact on individuals, especially when facing allegations of such a serious nature. His untimely passing left his family and community in mourning, compounded by the complex emotions tied to the posthumous revelation of his acquittal. Hawes is survived by his wife, Hsin-Tung, his three sons, and four grandchildren.
