The family of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells released the preliminary results of an independent autopsy on Wednesday, July 22, revealing that both the cause and manner of his death remain undetermined. The findings, announced by civil rights attorney Ben Crump at the NAACP National Convention in Chicago, have intensified calls for a more thorough investigation into the Mississippi teen’s mysterious death.
Dr. Roger Mitchell Jr., the forensic pathologist who performed the examination, concluded that he could not rule out the possibility that non-accidental factors contributed to or caused Wells’ death. The autopsy, funded by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, was conducted on July 10 in Washington, D.C., after the Mississippi State Medical Examiner completed the official autopsy on July 7.
Key Findings from the Independent Report
Mitchell noted several limitations that prevented a definitive conclusion:
An area of red discoloration measuring approximately 12 by 8 inches was found in the soft tissue at the back of Wells’ head near the occipital bone. Crump described the mark as “significant” and said it warrants further investigation.
Portions of the neck and throat structures, including the trachea and hyoid bone, were missing from the body when it arrived for the second examination. Mitchell ᴀssumed these were retained by the original medical examiner—a common practice when neck injuries are being evaluated—but their absence meant he could not fully ᴀssess possible neck trauma.
Due to decomposition and the prior autopsy, Mitchell was unable to thoroughly examine the airway, lungs for water, or stomach contents.
Toxicology results from the official autopsy were not available to him at the time of his report.
No fractures, deep tissue injuries, lacerations, or clear external trauma were identified.
In his report, Mitchell wrote that the cause of death is undetermined in part because of the lack of detailed information about how Wells entered the water and the exact circumstances of his body’s recovery. He explicitly stated he could not rule out intervening, non-accidental factors.
Official Response and Ongoing Investigation
A spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety confirmed that the state medical examiner completed the initial autopsy according to standard protocols but declined to comment further on either the official or independent findings, noting that the investigation remains “active and ongoing.”
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has previously stated there are currently no indications of foul play, though the case will eventually be presented to a grand jury as standard procedure for unnatural deaths. Wells, a strong swimmer and college football player, was last seen on Horn Island on July 4 during a boat outing with friends. His body was recovered from the water on July 6.
Family’s Continuing Questions
Wells’ parents, Christine Wonsley and Elmore Wonsley, have consistently expressed skepticism about the official narrative. Concerns include deleted content on his phone, conflicting accounts from those who left him on the island, and a viral video allegedly showing an argument. The family has emphasized that their son would not have voluntarily stayed behind alone.
High-profile support continues to grow, including a $125,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, contributed by Rev. Al Sharpton, Tyler Perry, and Terrell Owens. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ben Crump’s office at 888-991-1772.
The independent autopsy does not close the case—it underscores the need for more answers. As Crump noted while reading the report, the pathologist’s inability to rule out foul play is significant and demands further scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding Nolan Wells’ final hours on Horn Island.
