In Columbia, Missouri, Sofia Davis has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in Boone County following the 2024 death of her father, Antonio Davis, 56. The lawsuit names Alexander Aklan and Felicia Hay. According to the report, Aklan faces charges of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree drug trafficking, unlawful use of a weapon, and armed criminal action. Hay is charged with first-degree assault in the same matter. Court documents described in prior reporting allege that Aklan struck Antonio Davis with a pistol, causing him to fall and strike his head, and that Hay kicked him. The documents state that Davis was taken to a hospital with a brain bleed. Those are allegations in court proceedings, not findings of civil or criminal responsibility. Aklan's criminal trial is currently scheduled for March 23, 2027, and a pretrial conference is scheduled for February 8, 2027. What Makes This Incident Different This reported matter involves both a pending criminal case and a separate civil wrongful-death action. Although the cases concern the same death, they serve different functions and follow different procedures. Criminal charges are brought by the government and can involve questions of guilt under criminal law. A wrongful-death claim is a civil action brought by a qualifying family member or other authorized party seeking damages tied to a person's death. A criminal charge does not itself establish civil liability, and a civil filing does not determine the outcome of the criminal case. The report also identifies allegations of a physical assault and a head injury requiring hospital care. In cases involving alleged intentional violence, the available evidence, witness accounts, medical information, and court process can all be especially important. The evidence—not the existence of charges or a lawsuit alone—will determine what can be proven. Questions Investigators May Examine Authorities and the parties in the civil case may examine questions such as: - What may have occurred before, during, and after the reported confrontation? - What witness observations, if any, may help clarify the sequence of events? - What may medical records and expert review show about the reported head injury and the medical care that followed? - Whether photographs, recordings, communications, or physical evidence may corroborate or contradict accounts of the incident? - What role, if any, each accused person may have had in the events alleged in the court documents? These questions are not conclusions about fault. Criminal and civil proceedings may develop evidence under different rules, and allegations must be evaluated through the appropriate legal process. Evidence That May Need to Be Preserved For a wrongful-death claim arising from an alleged assault, prompt preservation can matter because records and physical materials may become unavailable over time. Depending on the circumstances, potentially relevant materials may include: - Police reports, dispatch recordings, and investigative photographs - Video from nearby businesses, residences, traffic cameras, or other available sources - Photographs of the location, injuries, clothing, and other physical items - Witness names, contact information, and contemporaneous statements - Text messages, call records, social-media communications, and other relevant electronic data - Hospital, ambulance, treatment, and medical-imaging records - Medical examiner or autopsy materials, if such materials exist - Criminal-case filings, hearing records, and exhibits that may become available through lawful processes Families should avoid altering or discarding items that could be relevant. An attorney can take steps to request preservation of evidence while respecting the separate criminal investigation and the rules governing discovery. What Families Should Know A death caused by another person's alleged wrongful conduct may support a wrongful-death claim under Missouri law. The appropriate party to bring such a case, the damages that may be available, and the filing deadline can depend on the family's circumstances and the facts established through evidence. Missouri wrongful-death claims generally have a statutory deadline, so it is important not to wait to obtain legal advice about a potential civil case. The timing of a criminal prosecution may also affect practical decisions about evidence, witnesses, and case strategy, but a family should not assume that a pending criminal matter protects its separate civil deadline. A civil claim may seek compensation permitted by law for losses associated with a death. No lawyer can promise a recovery, and the available claims will depend on the evidence, applicable law, insurance issues where relevant, and the facts proven in the case. How Dunk Law Can Help Dunk Law can help Missouri families assess a potential wrongful-death claim after an alleged violent incident. Our attorneys can review available records, identify evidence that may need preservation, communicate with involved parties and insurers when appropriate, and explain how a civil case may proceed alongside a criminal matter. If your family has lost someone in circumstances involving alleged assault or other wrongful conduct, Dunk Law can provide a confidential discussion of the legal options and deadlines that may apply. Related Dunk Law Resources - All practice areas This post is based on publicly available news reports and is provided for general information only. It is not legal advice.