The family of the Mississippi man who was killed by a police SUV and buried without their knowledge said their grief was compounded on Monday when his body was exhumed without them being present.

Ben Crump, the renowned civil rights attorney representing the family of Dexter Wade, sent AL.com a letter from Hinds County Board of Supervisors Attorney Tony R. Gaylor to another lawyer representing the Wade family indicating that Wade’s body was to be exhumed at 11:30 a.m. Monday.

But when Wade’s family and attorneys showed up for the exhumation, they learned Wade’s body had been taken 8 a.m. Monday “without any family being present,” Crump claimed.

“There is no excuse for the way this case has been handled. Every time [Wade’s mother] Ms. [Bettersten] Wade takes a step toward getting answers as to what happened to her son, Jackson officials bring her two steps back,” Crump said. “We hoped today that Ms. Wade could receive some answers and closure, but once again she is just left with more questions and even more trauma.”

The Associated Press’ efforts to reach Gaylor were unsuccessful.

Bettersten Wade went seven months not knowing her son, who she believed was missing, was struck and killed by an off-duty officer in a police SUV in Jackson.

Dexter Wade was buried in a pauper’s field in a Mississippi penal farm.

“Since the day that Dexter Wade was struck and killed by a Jackson Police Department cruiser, the truth and facts of this case have been heavily obscured. Dexter’s mother did not know what happened to her son for months, even after her tireless efforts and multiple requests to officials to help her, and long after he had been identified,” Crump siad. “Justice delayed is justice denied, and we will keep fighting for justice in Dexter’s name until his mother gets the closure she deserves.”