Independent autopsy reveals 'undetermined' cause of death for Mississippi teen Nolan Wells
The cause of death for 18-year-old Nolan Wells, whose body was discovered floating near a remote Mississippi barrier island two days after a Fourth of July boating excursion, remains officially undetermined following an independent autopsy commissioned by his family.
Wells was found on the northwestern tip of Horn Island, an undeveloped wilderness area approximately 8 to 10 miles off the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The island, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, stretches several miles in length but measures less than a mile at its widest point and is accessible only by private boat.
A coroner in Washington, DC, who conducted the second autopsy ruled both the cause and manner of death as "undetermined, pending investigation." The Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office has not yet released results from its initial examination, which authorities indicated pointed to drowning.
NAACP acknowledges possibility of accident
During a press conference announcing the autopsy findings, Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP since October 2017, conceded that Wells's death may have been accidental. Johnson, who previously served as president of the Mississippi State Conference NAACP, stated: "If it truly was an accident they have the resources available to help them navigate the situation."
The independent examination was arranged by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the Wells family, and funded by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Crump has built a prominent career representing families in high-profile civil rights cases, including those of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. He secured a $27 million settlement for George Floyd's family and $12 million for Breonna Taylor's family. Kaepernick, known for his 2016 protest against police brutality and systemic racism, completed a Million Dollar Pledge in 2018, donating to 41 charities focused on community organizations and social justice causes.
Autopsy limitations prevent definitive conclusions
Crump revealed that the second autopsy faced "several limitations" that created "barriers" to determining exactly how Wells died. According to the report, decomposition may have obscured the presence or absence of bruising on the skin. Critically, anterior neck structures were not received with the body, preventing the coroner from conducting a complete posterior neck dissection and ruling out neck injury as a possible contributor to death.
The examination could not directly assess the teenager's airway and lungs for water and stomach contents because prior organ dissection had been performed by the Mississippi coroner. Original toxicology reports had also not been received at the time of the second autopsy.
While the coroner identified no fractures or deep tissue injuries, some red discoloration was noted on the back of Wells's head. The report stated that "the etiology of this finding is unclear." Crump emphasized that based on the examination, the coroner "cannot rule out foul play."
Questions surrounding the incident
Wells reportedly stayed behind on Horn Island while his friends returned to the mainland after their boat experienced mechanical problems, according to authorities. His mother filed a missing person report on July 5, prompting the search that led to the discovery of his body.
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter has stated that authorities do not suspect foul play and believe Wells chose to remain on the island. Audio released from a 911 call captured Wells's companions calmly requesting assistance when their boat began taking on water. "Hey, we're at the west tip of Horn, and our bilge pump stopped working," a male voice stated. "We're sinking, can y'all please come."
Crump highlighted discrepancies in the case, noting that investigators found Wells's body face down and fully clothed, despite photographs from the day showing him shirtless and in swimming trunks. He also pointed to conflicting accounts: a girl Wells was allegedly communicating with said he was returning to the boat, while his friends claimed he decided to stay on the island.
Authorities are investigating a video that allegedly captures a heated argument on the beach, in which Wells can reportedly be heard saying: "Give me my freaking phone, what are you freaking doing?"
Community support and ongoing investigation
At Wells's funeral on Monday, civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry immediately matched the donation, bringing the total reward to $100,000. Perry, who has a history of supporting families affected by police-related deaths—including covering funeral expenses for Rayshard Brooks in 2020 and pledging to fund his four children's college education—also paid for Wells's funeral.
Wells's father, Elmore Wonsley, vowed to "keep pushing and fighting" until the family receives answers about what happened to his son. His mother, Christine Wonsley, described her son as someone who "had a way of making people feel seen, welcomed and valued."
The family has expressed concern about the investigation and demanded thoroughness and urgency from authorities. They have also hired experts to recover messages from Wells's phone before turning it over to law enforcement.
