JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A Hinds County judge has ruled that the brother of Dau Mabil can conduct an independent autopsy.

According to court documents, Judge Dewayne Thomas said Dau’s widow, Karissa Bowley, testified that she would consent to the autopsy.

Dau went missing on March 25 in the Belhaven neighborhood in Jackson. His body was found in the Pearl River in Lawrence County on April 13.

His brother, Bul Mabil, issued a restraining order because he believes foul play was involved in Dau’s death.

The temporary order that was issued on Thursday had Bowley as the plaintiff. The court dismissed Bul’s request for a temporary restraining order, because he’s not legally considered the next of kin.

“I’m relieved that we can, me and my friends and family and community, can get back to doing what we were doing, which was trying to find out what happened,” said Bowley.

“It’s one step toward justice. And if we have to pay for an autopsy and independent autopsy to achieve justice, we’re willing to do that. That’s precisely why we came to court. We want to know the truth. We want to know what really happened to Dau Mabil. We hope, though, that this order does not delay justice,” said Bul’s attorney, Lisa Ross.

Thomas also ruled that the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) could keep Dau’s body in their custody for up to 30 days, so they can conduct an investigation. After those 30 days, the independent autopsy can be conducted.