The preliminary findings from an independent autopsy on the body of Nolan Wells lists the Ocean Springs teenager’s cause of death as “undetermined pending investigation,” his family’s attorney announced during a press conference Wednesday morning.
Wells, 18, traveled to Horn Island by boat with friends on July 4 to celebrate the holiday. He was reported missing after he did not return to the mainland with the group. On the morning of July 6, a park ranger found his body on the island’s northwestern tip following a multiagency search.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced the findings at the NAACP National Convention in Chicago. He said the independent autopsy was performed July 10 by Dr. Roger A. Mitchell, a forensic pathologist and president of the National Medical Association.
While an independent toxicology report remains pending, Mitchell found “there were no fractures or deep tissue injuries identified” and “there were no lacerations of the overlying skin nor fractures of the underlying skull.” He did, however, note “red discoloration” on the back of Wells’ head, writing that it was difficult to determine whether it resulted from decomposition or an injury sustained before his death.
Crump also said Mitchell was not provided Wells’ throat during the examination, questioning why the pathologist did not receive all of the teen’s organs.
“For these reasons, this pathologist cannot rule out if any intervening, non-accidental factors contributed to or caused the death of Nolan Wells,” Crump read from the report.
The date of Wells’ death was listed as unknown and foul play cannot be ruled out based on the results, according to Crump.
Crump also shared during the press conference that members of the Cajun Navy said the Black teenager’s body was discovered face down on the shoreline wearing a shirt: “At what point did he put a shirt on? Somebody saw something. Somebody knows something.”
Just minutes after Crump made the claim, the Cajun Navy went to social media and said Wells was found only wearing swim shorts, writing, “Please don’t misrepresent our words.”
The last known photograph of Wells, taken earlier on July 4, showed him shirtless while posing with white friends aboard a boat.
The independent autopsy findings come as local law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Wells’ death. Law enforcement officials have said more than 60 interviews have been conducted and, at this time, they do not believe race or foul play played a role in the case.
During Wednesday’s press conference, Wells’ mother questioned the pace of the investigation.
“It is our hope that local authorities will do what they need to do because us having the preliminary autopsy results and hearing nothing from them is heartbreaking and concerning which, again, is why we are here and why we are asking for this help,” Christine Wonsley said.
The state of Mississippi conducted its own autopsy before the independent examination, but those results have not been released. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety did not immediately respond to an emailed request for information on when they might become public.
Before the press conference, the NAACP Board of Directors adopted a resolution of condolence for the Wells family. The resolution urges local, state, and federal authorities – including the U.S. Department of Justice – to conduct what it describes as a thorough and transparent review of the circumstances surrounding Wells’ death and the events leading up to the discovery of his body.
“NAACP family, this is our role: it’s to step in to support when families have an issue like this and the local officials seem not to hold people accountable,” said NAACP President Derrick Johnson, who previously served as president of the NAACP’s Mississippi state chapter. “Without accusing anyone of anything, other than the state of Mississippi local officials, we’re accusing them of being derelict in their duties to follow up and ensure that, regardless of what happened, there was a proper investigation.”