LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The federal trial of a man charged in connection with two Kentucky overdose deaths is likely headed for another delay after his defense attorney withdrew from the case.

A judge granted attorney Rachel Yavelak's request to step away from representing Brian Epperson, who is charged with distributing drugs that resulted in the overdose deaths of Reacheal Dawson and Kristen Morris. If convicted, he faces 20 years to life in prison.

Federal prosecutors said the request stemmed from alleged online posts by Kaylieb Thompson, the fiancé of one of the women whose death is tied to the case.

Dawson disappeared in June 2025 after leaving her home for a walk in rural Kentucky. Her family later tracked her phone to a Red Roof Inn in Winchester, where detectives found her dead. Morris died the month before in another hotel room rented by Epperson.

Reacheal Dawson.jpeg

Reacheal Dawson (family photo)

A third woman, Hilory Davis, also died in similar circumstances in 2024 after being found in a hotel room Epperson had booked, but her death wasn't included in his charges.

Dawson's family has spent the past year questioning why Epperson wasn't stopped sooner and why he hasn't been charged in connection with Davis' death or, especially, with murder. Court records show investigators found the same type of drug capsules in both Dawson's and Davis' cases.

Yavelak's motion asking to withdraw is sealed, so the reasons she gave for her withdrawl are not public. But in a response supporting her request, federal prosecutors said in a court filing Dawson's fiancé, Thompson, had "turned his attention" to Yavelak online and "made it personal" by mentioning members of her family and criticizing others at her law firm. 

"While the United States certainly understands Thompson’s desire to seek justice for the crime... Thompson is obstructing the administration of justice with his actions," the filing said.

Prosecutors also pointed to Thompson's criminal case earlier this year. He served about 44 days in jail after pleading guilty to third-degree terroristic threatening and trespassing charges tied to threats against the lead state investigator and Epperson. 

Kaylieb Thompson

Mugshot of Kaylieb Thompson. (Photo courtesy of WKYT.)

After Thompson was released from jail in February, prosecutors said he posted a selfie on Facebook with a shotgun propped against his truck and the message, "you can't stop me remember that."

Kaylieb Thompson social media post

This screenshot, included in a federal court filing, shows a Facebook post prosecutors say Kaylieb Thompson made after his release from jail.

The filing also describes what prosecutors called a "roving billboard" campaign. They said Thompson parked a truck displaying a billboard on an Interstate 75 overpass before later parking it at the cemetery where Epperson's father is buried. Prosecutors said Thompson then posted a photo from the cemetery saying Epperson "deserves to be in a grave next to his father" and that he was "tired of waiting."

Brian Epperson billboard post

This screenshot, included in a federal court filing, shows a Facebook post prosecutors say Kaylieb Thompson made after his release from jail.
Kaylieb Thompson social media post

This screenshot, included in a federal court filing, shows a Facebook post prosecutors say Kaylieb Thompson made after his release from jail.

Prosecutors also said Thompson later tried to schedule a jail visit with Epperson and attempted to deliver him a letter. According to the filing, the visit request was initially approved through the jail's online system before Epperson denied it.

Reacheal Dawson's sister, Kay Dawson, said another likely trial delay is frustrating for the family. However, she defended Thompson's decision to speak publicly about his fiancé's death. 

"I think anybody should have the freedom of speech to speak up about their partner they lost in such a devastating, tragic way," Kay Dawson said. "...He's upset. He's hurt. We all are at the death of her."

The filing argued Thompson's actions had become "a distraction" and "an impediment" to Yavelak's representation of Epperson. They also asked the court to consider whether Thompson should be barred from attending future hearings, saying his actions could interfere with Epperson's right to a fair trial. 

Yavelak did not respond to a request for comment.

Epperson's trial was scheduled to begin Aug. 3 after several previous delays. However, according to prosecutors, appointing a new defense attorney will likely push the trial back until at least the fall.

Meanwhile, Thompson said he will keep fighting for Dawson, even if it takes his last breath.

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