The father was casually acquainted with the alleged abuser, said Lavaca County Sheriff Micah Harmon.

CNN: Sheriff: Father kills man sexually abusing his daughter

Matagorda Bay Pilots handles ships arriving in Port Lavaca, midway between Houston and Corpus Christi.

ECONOMIST: The other Texas

When Lavaca County Sheriff Micah Harmon arrived, he found a distraught, crying father who had not intended to kill.

FORBES: Was A Texas Fatal Beating Homicide Or A Reasonable Response To Daughter's Assault?

Now, because Port Lavaca has boomed from less than 1m tonnes of shipping in 1994 to over 6.5m in 1996, it has three.

ECONOMIST: The other Texas

According to the Lavaca County Sheriff's Office, the father and his family had gathered for a horse shoeing last Saturday at their ranch where they keep horses and chickens.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

According to the Lavaca County Sheriff's Office, the 23-year-old father and his family were enjoying a barbecue last Saturday at their ranch on Shiner's outskirts where they keep horses and chickens.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Minutes later, two Port Lavaca police cruisers pulled up.

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Lavaca County Precinct Judge Alene Lyons said Monday that a preliminary autopsy report shows he "died from blunt-force head and neck injuries, " adding toxicology report results should be back in six weeks.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS