The wife of a Belhaven man whose body was found after weeks of searching for him argued in court filings that she is his legal next-of-kin.Dau Mabil’s wife, Karissa Bowley, said her husband was last seen on March 25 when he left their home and went for a walk, leaving his cellphone behind. Since then, Bowley and members of the community had been searching for him. A body was found on April 13 in the Pearl River in Lawrence County, which was identified as that of Mabil, based on a preliminary autopsy.Lisa Ross, an attorney for Mabil’s brother and son, filed a motion, which a judge agreed to on Thursday, that prohibited burial or cremation until the state can conduct an autopsy. Bowley’s attorney said in a response to the court that Bowley did not attend Thursday’s court hearing because she wasn’t given notice until hours after it happened. “There is no adversity of interest. She embraces the court’s ordered relief,” the filing said. “Because there is no case or controversy between Karissa — who is Dau’s legal next-of-kin — and the plaintiff, the plaintiff lacks standing to sue Karissa.”Bowley asked that the autopsy take place within one month after all law enforcement agencies investigating Mabil’s death have completed their investigations. In addition, she asked that a qualified pathologist conduct an additional autopsy, as requested by Mabil’s brother. The court filing included a copy of Mabil and Bowley’s marriage certificate as part of the court filing. While law enforcement has said no foul play is suspected based on a preliminary autopsy, Mabil’s brother and foster mother have their doubts. Ross said Thursday that there is evidence, including video that leads them to believe that someone harmed him.
The wife of a Belhaven man whose body was found after weeks of searching for him argued in court filings that she is his legal next-of-kin.
Dau Mabil’s wife, Karissa Bowley, said her husband was last seen on March 25 when he left their home and went for a walk, leaving his cellphone behind. Since then, Bowley and members of the community had been searching for him. A body was found on April 13 in the Pearl River in Lawrence County, which was identified as that of Mabil, based on a preliminary autopsy.
Lisa Ross, an attorney for Mabil’s brother and son, filed a motion, which a judge agreed to on Thursday, that prohibited burial or cremation until the state can conduct an autopsy.
Bowley’s attorney said in a response to the court that Bowley did not attend Thursday’s court hearing because she wasn’t given notice until hours after it happened.
“There is no adversity of interest. She embraces the court’s ordered relief,” the filing said. “Because there is no case or controversy between Karissa — who is Dau’s legal next-of-kin — and the plaintiff, the plaintiff lacks standing to sue Karissa.”
Bowley asked that the autopsy take place within one month after all law enforcement agencies investigating Mabil’s death have completed their investigations. In addition, she asked that a qualified pathologist conduct an additional autopsy, as requested by Mabil’s brother.
The court filing included a copy of Mabil and Bowley’s marriage certificate as part of the court filing.
While law enforcement has said no foul play is suspected based on a preliminary autopsy, Mabil’s brother and foster mother have their doubts. Ross said Thursday that there is evidence, including video that leads them to believe that someone harmed him.
