However, information from the autopsy was presented as evidence during the 2018 preliminary hearing for the criminal case against Schlitterbahn’s operations director, Tyler Austin Miles, and Verruckt’s designer, John Timothy "Jeff" Henry, co-owner of Schlitterbahn.
On that August afternoon, Caleb Schwab was seated in the front of a six-person raft (three riders per side, though later modifications changed the design). The other two riders in his raft were two adult women, neither of whom were related to Caleb. During the descent, witnesses reported that the raft became airborne as it crested the second hill. Forensic analysis later determined that Caleb was decapitated by metal support loops that were part of the ride’s netting structure. caleb schwab autopsy report
While second-degree murder and manslaughter charges were initially brought against the park owner and designers, they were eventually dismissed in 2019 due to the presentation of "improper evidence" to the grand jury. However, information from the autopsy was presented as