Domestic abuse charges against Panthers DE Greg Hardy dropped

Misdemeanor domestic abuse charges were dropped against Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy after his accuser failed to show up to testify.

Misdemeanor domestic abuse charges were dropped against Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy after his accuser failed to show up to testify, the Charlotte Observerreports.

The dropped charges come hours before Hardy was to face a trial. The prosecution said that Hardy and his accuser are believed to have reached a civil settlement.

Hardy was arrested last May and charged with physically assaulting his former girlfriend, Nicole Holder. Mecklenburg County district attorney Andrew Murray said that Holder made herself "completely unavailable" and that his office has taken "extraordinary efforts" to locate her.

Hardy was accused of choking Holder and threatening to kill her after he allegedly threw her on to a futon covered with firearms. 

• WERTHEIM & KAPLAN: Testimony provides closer look at Greg Hardy case

Hardy was convicted in a bench trial last year and given a 60-day suspended sentence and probation. That punishment was vacated when Hardy appealed the verdict.

Hardy sat out the final 15 games last season and collected his $13 million salary while on the NFL's commissioner's exempt list. He had 15 sacks and 40 tackles for the Panthers in 2013 before the team placed the franchise tag on him during the offseason.

Despite Hardy's charged being dropped, the NFL could still choose to punish him. After news of the charges being dropped, the league issued a statement that said Hardy's status "remains unchanged until we fully review the matter."

Hardy, 26, will be a free agent in March.

- Scooby Axson