A 17-year-old boy died in unexplained circumstances while working at a Nebraska hog farm founded by the state's governor, with officials accused of failing to conduct a proper investigation for his grieving mother.
A Tragic Discovery on the Farm
Zach Panther was found dead on 1 April last year, just six weeks after starting a part-time maintenance job at Beaver Valley Pork in St. Edward, Nebraska. The town has a population of roughly 700 and lies about two hours west of Omaha.
His supervisor discovered him on the floor of a barn where he had been using a chemical-laden spray foam to seal cracks. No other employees witnessed the incident, and authorities reported no immediate signs of foul play.
Political Connections and a Stalled Inquiry
Beaver Valley Pork is part of the network of operations linked to Pillen Family Farms, a business founded by Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen in 1993. Since January 2020, the company has been co-led by the governor's daughter, Sarah Pillen.
Investigations by government agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), could not determine the cause of the teenager's death. The process was allegedly hampered by errors and poor information sharing.
"My son is dead," Zach's mother, Justy Riggs-Panther, told The New York Times. "There ought to be answers."
Alleged Obstacles in the Investigation
After her son's death, Riggs-Panther claims the Boone County Sheriff's Office conducted only a limited examination of the immediate scene. Furthermore, the farm allegedly blocked timely testing from OSHA.
A critical blood test for spray foam chemicals was disrupted when a laboratory accidentally destroyed the usable sample. The spray foam Zach used, a product called Great Stuff, contains isocyanate, a hazardous chemical known to cause skin irritation and breathing difficulties.
Sarah Pillen stated the company "fully cooperated" but admitted to refusing entry to an OSHA industrial hygienist who arrived to inspect, insisting the official follow the farm's "established biosecurity protocols."
A Governor's Name in the Emails
The political connection became a noted point within the official inquiry. Matthew Thurlby, the OSHA Omaha director, wrote in an email last April: "It is important to note that Pillen Family Farms is affiliated with Governor Jim Pillen of Nebraska. This is the family business." The context of these emails remains unclear.
OSHA closed its investigation in September, stating an allergic reaction to the spray foam was "unlikely" to have caused Zach's death and issued no workplace safety violations. Courtney Parella from the Department of Labor said the inquiry was "supported by multiple consultations with medical experts."
A Mother's Unending Search for Truth
More than a year later, Zach's mother continues her quest for clarity. Her request for a tissue sample from her son's autopsy to conduct independent testing was refused by the county attorney.
"The idea that maybe it could have been preventable is really intolerable," Riggs-Panther said. "But how do you know what to do to keep it from happening again when you don't know what happened in the first place?"
She insists steps must be taken to ensure the safety of others working on farms. The Daily Mail has approached Jim Pillen's office, Sarah Pillen, Pillen Family Farms, and the Boone County Sheriff's Office for further comment.
