Angela Tappe, a resident of Louisiana, has filed a federal lawsuit against two individuals from Tennessee, accusing them of unlawfully seizing control over her late uncle’s affairs and violating his civil rights. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on October 31, 2025, targeting Gerald Gulley and Stevan Dawn as defendants.
The case centers around Angela Tappe’s claims that Gulley and Dawn wrongfully assumed control over her uncle Earnest Murphy’s body and estate following his death on October 24, 2025. Angela asserts that she holds the legal right to manage her uncle’s funeral arrangements and estate as his next of kin and executrix. However, she alleges that Dawn initiated a conservatorship proceeding in Tennessee without Murphy’s participation or consent, leading to Gulley’s appointment as conservator. This action allegedly violated Murphy’s civil rights under 42 U.S.C.A. §1983 by not allowing him due process.
Angela accuses Dawn of fabricating a story to have Murphy’s body moved across state lines to Kentucky for burial without her authorization. She claims this transfer was stopped only after she intervened. Furthermore, Angela contends that Gulley unjustly received $178,356.21 from her accounts under false pretenses related to these proceedings. She seeks damages exceeding $75,000 for the alleged wrongful actions and defamation by both defendants.
The lawsuit requests various forms of relief from the court: injunctive relief to prevent further interference with Murphy’s remains and estate; monetary damages for emotional distress, defamation, and civil rights violations; and an order restraining the defendants from filing any succession proceedings in Tennessee or acting on improper orders from there. Angela also seeks reimbursement for attorney fees incurred due to these disputes.
Representing Angela Tappe is attorney W. Alan Pesnell from Alexandria, Louisiana. The case is identified under Case No. 5:25-cv-01663 in the Western District of Louisiana court system.
Source: 525cv01663_Tappe_v_Gulley_Complaint_Western_District_Louisiana.pdf
