Felony charges abate at death. Either side can file a document known as a "Suggestion of Death" to the court. The case is the dismissed by the court. The Govern

Felony charges abate at death. Either side can file a document known as a "Suggestion of Death" to the court. The case is the dismissed by the court. The Government did not "drop the charges," though I don't doubt that they filed a motion trying to do so. I don't believe there was a civil forfeiture but if there were they would move to substitute the Estate for the individual. This is not the case in criminal cases.