Antony ‘Bubba’ Cada workplace death at Darling ingredients in Bastrop County, leads to Texas family demanding answers and workplace accountability as OSHA now investigate cause of death and if workplace safety mandates were being followed.
A Texas family are demanding answers following the workplace death of their loved one at a Bastrop animal processing factory.
The outcry follows the death of 59-year-old employee, identified by family as Antony ‘Bubba’ Cada.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has confirmed it is investigating the death, which occurred on April 24 at Darling Ingredients, a plant that processes poultry byproducts into pet and livestock food.
Bastrop workplace victim was new employee
According to his wife, Anissa Cada, Bubba had only been working at the plant for about a month and had recently moved to the night shift. He was assigned to move trucks and manage raw material trailers.
She says he was reported missing around 9:30 p.m. that night. By 11:30 p.m., authorities were alerted to a possible employee death. She learned of her husband’s passing early the next morning.
Investigators later told the family that only partial remains were recovered, CBS Austin reported.
‘We were still in shock. Just can’t, couldn’t believe this was happening,’ she told KVUE. ‘My grandkids understand that their grandfather won’t be coming home.’
Family demand answers and accountability
While few details have been released, True Crime MaMa on Facebook reported her followers telling her, ‘Additional details shared with me by an inside source are that Bubba may have fallen into a pit containing animal byproducts and was pulled into machinery before being discovered when the system became clogged.’
The tragedy has led to the victim’s family demanding answers, including whether proper safety measures were in place and if anything could have prevented Anthony Cada’s workplace death.
‘Where’s the safety? You know, were railings supposed to be up and they didn’t, weren’t up? Did they collapse? Did he slip and fall?’ Anissa Cada said according to KVUE.
Adding, ‘A workplace ought to be safe, with rules and regulations to make the place work, and our employees should be safe while they’re there.’
According to the victim’s wife, the couple had been married for 35 years, with the wife describing Cada as a hardworking man, a devoted father, and grandfather.
Darling Ingredients released a statement saying it is cooperating with authorities, stating, ‘We are cooperating with all relevant authorities concerning an incident discovered at our Bastrop facility on April 25, 2026. We are continuing to investigate the incident with the relevant authorities and are taking precautions for the safety and wellbeing of our employees and visitors. Safety is a top priority of our Company. Our thoughts and condolences are with all those impacted during this difficult time.’
The U.S. Department of Labor said the OSHA investigation could last up to six months.
