Vassey was found not guilty of voluntary manslaughter following a 14-day bench trial in May 2016, but according to city officials was kept on unpaid suspension pending the outcome of a wrongful death lawsuit filed in December 2015 by the teen's mother, Mary Wilsey. The suit named Vassey, the City of Southport, the City of Boiling Spring Lakes, and Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram as defendants. The complaint was settled for $1 million following mediation in December 2016, and a dismissal with prejudice was signed March 13, meaning Wilsey is barred from bringing an action on the same claim.