The case of Anastasia and Alexandria Duval centers on a 2016 fatal car crash on Maui’s Hana Highway. Alexandria Duval was charged with second-degree murder following the death of her twin sister, Anastasia, after their SUV plunged off a cliff. In 2018, a judge found Alexandria not guilty, citing a lack of evidence of intentionality.
The story of Anastasia and Alexandria Duval is one of the most enigmatic and scrutinized legal sagas in recent Hawaiian history. Born Alison and Ann Dadow, the identical twins were once successful yoga studio owners who lived high-profile lives across several states before a tragic event on a remote coastal road changed everything. As of 2026, the case remains a frequent subject of true-crime analysis, legal debate, and psychological study regarding the complex dynamics of identical twins.
The Background of the Dadow Twins
Before they were known as the Duvals, the sisters were Alison and Ann Dadow. In the early 2010s, they were prominent figures in the wellness communities of Palm Beach County, Florida, and later, Park City, Utah. They operated successful yoga studios under the brand "Twin Power Yoga," earning a reputation for being intense, charismatic, and at times, volatile.
Their transition from the Dadow surname to the Duval surname occurred around 2014, following a series of business failures and legal issues in Utah and Florida. Records indicate that the sisters faced significant financial pressure, including bankruptcy filings and various lawsuits related to their business operations. The move to Hawaii in 2015 was seen by many as an attempt to start over, adopting new identities to distance themselves from their checkered professional past on the mainland.
In Hawaii, they continued their interest in the wellness industry but lived a relatively more private life until the events of May 29, 2016. Neighbors and acquaintances in Maui described the sisters as inseparable but frequently involved in loud, physical altercations, a pattern of behavior that would eventually become a central point of the prosecution's argument during the murder trial.
The Fatal Incident on Hana Highway
On May 29, 2016, the sisters were traveling in a 2016 Ford Explorer on the Hana Highway, a road famous for its narrow passes, hairpin turns, and sheer drops into the Pacific Ocean. According to eyewitness accounts provided to the Maui Police Department, the sisters were seen engaged in a violent physical struggle inside the vehicle while it was parked on the side of the road shortly before the crash.
Witnesses testified that they saw the passenger, Anastasia, pulling Alexandria’s hair and that the two appeared to be shouting. Moments later, the SUV accelerated, traveled across the roadway, and plunged off a 200-foot cliff near the area known as "Pua’a Ka’a."
Anastasia Duval was pronounced dead at the scene due to blunt force trauma. Alexandria survived the crash with minor injuries and was stabilized at a local hospital. The immediate aftermath of the crash led to a swift investigation by Maui authorities, who were troubled by the lack of brake marks on the pavement and the testimony regarding the fight preceding the plunge.
Legal Proceedings and Initial Dismissal
Shortly after being released from the hospital, Alexandria Duval was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The prosecution argued that the acceleration of the vehicle was a deliberate act intended to cause harm, fueled by the rage of the ongoing physical fight.
However, the legal path was far from straightforward:
- Initial Preliminary Hearing (June 2016): A judge initially dismissed the charges against Alexandria, ruling that there was insufficient probable cause to support a murder charge. The judge noted that while the circumstances were tragic, the prosecution had not yet proven that the act was intentional.
- Release and Rearrest: Following the dismissal, Alexandria attempted to return to the mainland but was eventually indicted by a Maui grand jury in late 2016. She was arrested in Albany, New York, and subsequently extradited back to Hawaii to face trial.
- The Wait for Trial: Between late 2016 and early 2018, Alexandria remained in custody as both the defense and prosecution gathered expert testimony regarding the vehicle's mechanics and the psychological state of the defendant.
The 2018 Bench Trial: Evidence and Verdict
Alexandria Duval waived her right to a jury trial, opting instead for a bench trial where a single judge, Maui Circuit Judge Peter Cahill, would determine her guilt or innocence. This move is often strategic in cases where public sentiment is highly charged or where the evidence is technically complex.
The Prosecution’s Case
The state’s case relied heavily on two factors: eyewitness testimony and the vehicle’s "black box" or Event Data Recorder (EDR).
- Eyewitnesses: Several hikers and motorists testified to seeing the sisters fighting. One witness described the vehicle "gunning it" toward the edge of the cliff without any signs of slowing down.
- Technical Data: Data from the Ford Explorer indicated that the throttle was at 100% (full acceleration) and there was no application of the brakes in the seconds leading up to the impact. The prosecution argued this was "calculated" behavior.
The Defense’s Argument
The defense, led by attorney Birney Bervar, argued that the crash was a "tragic accident" caused by the physical struggle inside the car. They contended that Anastasia’s interference—specifically pulling Alexandria’s hair and potentially grabbing the steering wheel—caused Alexandria to lose control of the vehicle.
- Physical Evidence: The defense pointed out that clumps of Alexandria's hair were found in Anastasia’s hands, supporting the claim that a violent struggle was occurring at the moment of the crash.
- Mechanical Uncertainty: Defense experts suggested that the high acceleration could have been a result of a foot being forced onto the gas pedal during the struggle rather than a conscious choice to drive off the cliff.
The Verdict
In February 2018, Judge Peter Cahill delivered a verdict of not guilty. In his ruling, Cahill stated that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Alexandria Duval intentionally drove the vehicle off the cliff. He noted that the chaotic nature of the fight inside the SUV made it impossible to determine if the acceleration was a purposeful act or a byproduct of the physical altercation.
Comparative Timeline of the Duval Case
| Date | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| May 29, 2016 | Crash on Hana Highway | Anastasia Duval deceased; Alexandria survives. |
| June 2016 | Initial murder charges filed | Case dismissed due to lack of probable cause. |
| Oct/Nov 2016 | Grand Jury Indictment | Alexandria rearrested in New York and extradited. |
| Jan 2018 | Bench Trial begins | Prosecution and Defense present evidence. |
| Feb 1, 2018 | Verdict delivered | Alexandria Duval found Not Guilty. |
| 2018–2020 | Civil Litigation | Wrongful death suit filed by Anastasia's estate. |
Psychological and Social Implications
The case of the Duval twins touched on several profound psychological themes, specifically the "twin bond" and the potential for "shared psychotic disorder" or extreme codependency. Throughout their lives, the sisters were described as being "two halves of a whole," but their relationship was also marked by extreme turbulence.
Legal experts have often compared this case to other "twin crimes," where the blurred lines of identity make it difficult for the legal system to assign individual intent. The fact that the survivor, Alexandria, faced a murder charge for the death of her "other half" added a layer of tragedy that resonated in national media. Since the 2018 verdict, the case has been featured in several documentaries and legal case studies, focusing on the difficulty of proving "intent" in a vehicle-related fatality where a domestic struggle is involved.
Civil Consequences and Life After the Trial
While Alexandria Duval was cleared of criminal charges, the legal battle did not end with the "not guilty" verdict. The estate of Anastasia Duval, represented by the twins' family members, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Alexandria.
In civil court, the burden of proof is lower than in criminal court (a "preponderance of evidence" rather than "beyond a reasonable doubt"). These proceedings were largely handled privately or settled, as is common in family-based civil disputes. Following the conclusion of her legal troubles, Alexandria Duval has largely avoided the public eye. As of 2026, she reportedly resides on the mainland, having distanced herself from the "Duval" persona that dominated the headlines during the 2010s.
FAQ: Common Questions About the Duval Case
Why was Alexandria Duval found not guilty?
The judge ruled that the prosecution did not meet the high burden of proof required for a murder conviction. Because of the evidence showing a physical struggle (including hair-pulling), the judge could not definitively conclude that the act of driving off the cliff was an intentional murder rather than a loss of control caused by the fight.
What happened to the "Twin Power Yoga" studios?
The studios in Florida and Utah were closed long before the crash occurred. The business suffered from financial mismanagement and lawsuits, leading the sisters to move to Hawaii to attempt a fresh start under their new names, Anastasia and Alexandria Duval.
Was there evidence of a "suicide pact"?
While some speculated that the crash might have been a mutual decision, no evidence of a suicide note or prior communication suggested a pact. The presence of a physical struggle at the scene strongly suggested an unplanned, spontaneous conflict rather than a premeditated agreement.
How did the "black box" data impact the case?
The Event Data Recorder (EDR) showed that the car was at full throttle and no brakes were applied. While the prosecution used this to argue intent, the defense successfully argued that this data was consistent with a driver being physically assaulted and losing control of their limbs/pedal positioning.
Where is Alexandria Duval now?
As of 2026, Alexandria Duval lives a private life. She has not returned to the wellness industry in a public capacity and has maintained a minimal social media presence to avoid the lingering public scrutiny following the 2018 trial.
Could she be tried again if new evidence is found?
Under the principle of Double Jeopardy, Alexandria Duval cannot be tried again for the same crime (second-degree murder) in the same jurisdiction, even if new evidence were to emerge. The verdict of the bench trial is final.
Final Recommendation for Researchers
For those studying the Anastasia and Alexandria Duval case, it is essential to look beyond the sensationalist headlines of the "Yoga Twin Murder." The case serves as a critical example of how technical vehicle data (EDR) and eyewitness testimony can be interpreted in vastly different ways depending on the context of the passengers' relationship.
If you are researching the legal aspects, focus on the transcripts from the Maui Circuit Court and the rulings of Judge Peter Cahill, which provide a nuanced look at the challenges of proving "state of mind" in vehicular homicides. For those interested in the psychological aspects, the history of the Dadow twins' business ventures provides significant context for the stress and volatility that preceded their move to Hawaii.
