Lost boy's disappearance and death plays out in court

Part 2 in a series UPDATED

Before anyone knows how Dau Mabil died, he has become a specter in court. His remains are physically stuck in a morgue and, effectively, in a legal blast zone. His private texts near the end of his life are now part of the public record.

Mabil, 33, disappeared on March 25, 2024, during a walk along what is known as the museum trail near downtown Jackson,…