Human remains pulled from Pearl River confirmed to be missing Belhaven man, Dau Mabil

Pam Dankins, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
Updated ·2 min read
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Lawrence County Sheriff Ryan Everett confirmed Thursday afternoon a body found Saturday in the Pearl River is that of 37-year-old Dau Mabil, who went missing in Jackson in late March.

According to Everett, an autopsy "did not reveal any type of foul play."

Everett said an official determination of cause of death may be made at a later time pending further testing.

More: Family of Dau Mabil question Capitol Police investigation

The news comes after Judge Dewayne Thomas ordered an autopsy to be conducted on human remains which were presumed at the time to be Mabil.

Early Thursday, Thomas wrote in court documents that the Mississippi State Crime Lab would conduct the autopsy of a body, which "fit the description" of Mabil.

Dau's brother Bul Mabil led a petition against Dau’s wife, Karissa Bowley, Capitol Police and other defendants, according to court documents, because Bul wanted to prevent the release of the remains "so that crucial evidence will not be exterminated.”

In agreement, Thomas granted a temporary restraining order and an injunction to block the release of the human remains "currently presumed" to be Dau.

Thomas ordered the autopsy to be done "as expeditiously as possible."

“Given the nature of (Dau's) disappearance and the location of the body found, it is likely that an autopsy will be required to determine if foul play was involved,” Thomas wrote.

Bul Mabil cries as he speaks about his brother, Dau Mabil, during a press conference to ask for the public's help in finding Dau at St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson on April 1, 2024. "Please help Dau to come home," Bul said, asking the public to send in any information they might have.
Bul Mabil cries as he speaks about his brother, Dau Mabil, during a press conference to ask for the public's help in finding Dau at St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson on April 1, 2024. "Please help Dau to come home," Bul said, asking the public to send in any information they might have.

'Please help us find him:' Family of missing Belhaven resident urges the public for help in finding loved one

Dau Mabil left his home in Belhaven Heights on Monday, March 25, 2024, and has not been seen since.

According to Bowley, Dau sent her a text message at 11:58 a.m. saying he was going on a walk and left his phone at home to charge. Bowley said this was not unusual.

Bowley said she expected to hear from him by mid-afternoon March 25, but she didn't.

Mabil was last seen on video footage at 12:20 p.m. March 25 in the southbound direction on Jefferson Street, just north of High Street.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Missing Belhaven man, Dau Mabil, remains found in Pearl River