YOUNGSTOWN A final hearing was held in the Mahoning County Probate Court at 2 p.m. Thursday to consider granting final approval of a wrongful death settlement for the family of a man killed in the May 28, 2024, natural gas explosion at the Realty Building in Downtown Youngstown.

The settlement, totaling $6.1 million, is awaiting final approval of Judge Robert Rusu. The stems from a lawsuit filed by the family of Akil Drake, 27, who died in the explosion. After attorney fees, the family would receive $3,600,550.07 from the settlement.

During Thursday's hearing, the court heard testimony from some of Drake's family members including his mother, who recounted her experience on the day of the explosion.

Drake's mother said she was at her second job when she saw she missed a call from Drake's girlfriend's mother. From there, she left work to go to the explosion site where she talked with Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown and Youngstown Police Chief Carl Davis.

Further testimony revealed Drake's mother was there when his body was found. Drake's mother testified that he was helping his coworkers prior to the explosion, but fell through the floor into the basement.

Drake's mother testified that she thinks he may have drowned because water was found in his lungs.

The lawsuit named several parties, including Yo Properties 47, LLC; LY Property Management (doing business as Youngstown Live Property Management); A Nieder Architecture; and MS Consultants.

Records show that Yo Properties 47 LLC is to pay $3 million. Yo Properties 47 is owned by Brian Angelill, owner of the now-demolished Realty Building, and a co-owner of GreenHeart Companies, whose employee reportedly cut the gas line that led to the explosion.

LY Property Management, also known as Youngstown Live Property Management and GreenHeart Companies, is associated with the payment. State records indicate Sarah Marchionda as the registering agent in 2021, with Jacqueline Marchionda, wife of developer Dominic Marchionda, listed as the agent after the explosion.

Enbridge/Dominion is to pay $2.9 million. Nieder Architecture of Boardman is to pay $100,000, and MS Consultants of Youngstown is also to pay $100,000.

Under the proposed distribution, Drake's mother is to receive 50 percent of the net settlement, about $1,800,275. Drake’s sister is to receive 40 percent, roughly $1,440,220. Drake's paternal grandparents are each to receive 1.5 percent, totaling $108,016, and seven half-siblings are to receive one percent each, approximately $36,005 per individual.