NATCHEZ — Nearly one year after her death, Dr. Lynn Palmer’s family has taken action against the man they believe to be responsible — her husband.

A civil suit filed in federal court on June 13, by Palmer’s mother and two brothers, alleges Marshall Hawkins intentionally caused Palmer’s death by poisoning.

“The complaint speaks for itself,” said Carlton Reeves, of Jackson, the attorney for the Palmer family.

Reeves said Hawkins was served with the suit some time last week.

Hawkins’ attorney, Jack McCants of Jackson, verified his client had received notice of the suit.

However, McCants would not comment on the case.

On July 13 of last year Palmer died in a Jackson Hospital.

The cause of her death was said to be bacterial septicemia.

Palmer was found ill on her farm in Adams County and taken to Natchez Community Hospital.

She was later transferred to a Jackson hospital were she died.

When Palmer’s autopsy results were sent to the Adams County coroner in February one copy was given to the Adams County District Attorney’s Office and one copy was provided to Hawkins.

The results of that autopsy are only known by a handful of individuals.

In February, Adams County Coroner James Lee said the autopsy record is not a public record.

It has been widely rumored that Hawkins was involved in Palmer’s death.

Many who knew Palmer well said she seemed perfectly healthy shortly before she became ill and later died.

On Thursday afternoon Hawkins said he would not comment on the suit and only provided his attorney’s contact information.

Howard Palmer, Lynn’s brother, also declined to comment and deferred all questions to his attorney.

Reeves said the next step in the case is for Hawkins’ attorney to file a response, at which point both parties would meet with a judge.

Also included in the family’s suit is a request that Hawkins not be able to collect any of Palmer’s life insurance benefits and a request for $75,000 in compensatory damages.

Palmer was a medical doctor practicing in Natchez.