COLUMBIA --- Analysis of horse remains found on property managed by a former South Carolina agriculture official's family indicates that some of the animals likely starved, according to a report released Thursday.
Bone marrow fat levels in horse skeletons excavated from properties managed by James Trexler's family were low enough to show the animals died of starvation, forensic veterinarian Melinda Merck said in the report provided by the South Carolina Humane Society.
Dr. Merck is a veterinarian with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Atlanta. She examined horse bones recovered earlier this year after authorities found malnourished horses on property belonging to Mr. Trexler, his mother and brother.
Bone marrow fat levels 60 percent or higher are considered normal, Dr. Merck said in her report. A horse leg bone excavated from the Trexlers' land in Sumter measured about 31 percent, while part of another skeleton found at the family's Richland County property measured less than 1 percent.
"When the bone marrow fat is low it indicates the animal died of end-stage starvation," Dr. Merck wrote, adding that an animal could starve even with normal bone marrow fat levels.
Remains from at least eight horses were examined from the two properties, including from several adults and a foal just a day or two old. One grave was at least 2 years old.
There was no answer Thursday at a number listed for James Trexler, who resigned from his post as assistant agriculture commissioner earlier this year when authorities began their investigation.
James Trexler, Hazelene Trexler and Terry Trexler have been charged with multiple counts of ill treatment to animals.
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