The disappearance and tragic death of Dau Mabil in Jackson, Mississippi has left his family, friends, and community devastated. Mabil, 33, vanished while on a walk and his body was later found in the Pearl River. Lawrence County Sheriff confirmed the identity of the body as Mabil’s and stated that there was no evidence of foul play in the preliminary autopsy. However, Mabil’s brother, Bul, believes foul play was involved and is determined to seek justice for his brother’s death.
Mabil’s family and supporters have raised concerns about the handling of the investigation by Capitol Police, the agency leading the case. Bul Mabil has criticized the lack of transparency and communication from the police, leading to suspicions of a cover-up or mishandling of evidence. A network of local and national civil rights leaders and community advocates are calling for federal intervention in the case, citing the possibility of a hate crime and the need for a thorough investigation.
The political tensions surrounding Mabil’s case stem from the controversial jurisdiction extension of Capitol Police last year. Critics argue that this move has hindered effective policing in Jackson, especially in cases involving Black victims. Concerns have been raised about basic leads not being followed up on and evidence not being shared with the public. The NAACP and other advocacy groups are demanding accountability and transparency in the investigation.
Mabil and his brother, Bul, were among the thousands of Lost Boys of Sudan who fled war and famine to find asylum in the U.S. Dau was a beloved member of the community, known for his sense of humor and kindness. His sudden disappearance and death have shaken those who knew him, especially his family. Bul Mabil has expressed deep sorrow at the loss of his brother and is determined to find out the truth about what happened to him.
Amid growing calls for a federal investigation and concerns about the handling of the case, Mabil’s family is seeking an independent autopsy to gather more evidence. They have petitioned the court for an injunction to prevent burial or cremation until further investigations can be conducted. Mabil’s widow also supports an additional autopsy but wants to ensure that all law enforcement entities have completed their investigations before proceeding with an independent examination.
The tragic irony of Dau Mabil’s disappearance near the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum is not lost on his family and supporters. They believe that Mabil had every reason to live and no reason to harm himself, leading them to suspect foul play in his death. The community is rallying around the Mabil family to seek justice and accountability for Dau, whose life was cut short in a mysterious and tragic manner.
