JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A preliminary autopsy has revealed that the body recently discovered in the Pearl River in Lawrence County is the body of Dau Mabil. The Belhaven man went missing on March 25.

Dau’s brother, Bul Mabil, said his brother had big plans, one of which was returning to school in the fall to receive his bachelor’s degree.

“I cannot, I cannot understand what kind of human being would do something like this,” Bul said.

A hearing was held in the Hinds County Chancery Court on Thursday. Bul filed a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against Dau’s wife, Capitol police, the Mississippi State Crime Lab and other defendants.

“We wanted to take these steps to prevent that from happening. We want to make sure that an autopsy is done. We want the real story, not the place story, to be told about Dau. Dau did not just vanish from the streets of Jackson or Belhaven,” said Attorney Lisa Ross, the family’s attorney.

Lawrence County Sheriff Ryan Everett said Dau’s body was located on Saturday, April 13, 2024, by fishermen about five miles north of Atwood Water Park. According to Everett, the autopsy did not reveal any type of foul play, but he said the official determination may be made at a later time pending further testing.

Bul and Ross disagree.

“The disappearance of my little brother, Dau, has devastated my family because we came to this country as refugees. None of my family members back in Africa would believe what happened to my brother here now in the United States,” said Bul.

He asked the judge to not approve the release of the remains but to conduct an independent autopsy. His request was granted.

“What we intend to do is what we’ll hope is that law enforcement investigates properly and look at all the people who say they seen something, heard something, all surveillance footage. I mean, if you look at this corridor, there are quite a number of businesses around. I mean, all you have to do is walk this museum trail. You’ll see surveillance cameras all over the place,” said Attorney Carlos Tanner, the family’s attorney.

On Wednesday, U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) requested the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation into Dau’s disappearance.

“I call on the public to pay attention to what has happened here. It should open your eyes. It should open your eyes. It may be my brother today, but it may be yours next,” said Bul.

According to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS), official DNA confirmation is expected to be received by next week.

On Thursday, Jackson leaders joined Dau’s family in grief. Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba and Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade joined them at a news conference.

Capitol police are currently the lead investigating agency, and Wade said they will receive support from the Jackson Police Department.

“We have been requested to assist in this investigation by the family. They’ve reached out to me on several occasions last week, week before last and as recently as yesterday to assist in this investigation. We are committed to assisting in this investigation. We’re committed,” said Wade.