Nolan Wells’ independent autopsy results do not rule out criminal activity
“This is just one piece of the puzzle.” Preliminary findings from Nolan Wells’ independent autopsy found that he died of unknown causes.
Preliminary results from an independent autopsy on Nolan Xavier Wells indicate that the 18-year-old died of unknown causes, the family’s attorney announced on July 22.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said at a news conference that an autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Dr. Roger Mitchell and paid for by former NFL player Colin Kaepernick also found the cause of Wells’ death to be unclear.
Wells, a football player at Southwest Mississippi Community College, was reported missing after failing to return from a Fourth of July trip to Horn Island, Mississippi, with friends. Authorities recovered his body on July 6.
Mr Wells’ family has raised questions about his disappearance, and the teenager’s death has received widespread attention from celebrities such as Nancy Grace.
Bailey C. Martin, a spokeswoman for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, confirmed in a July 22 statement to USA TODAY that the state medical examiner had completed an initial autopsy on Wells, but said the investigation was “active and ongoing.”
“I have no comment on the investigation or the independent autopsy that has been conducted,” Martin said, calling on the public to “let the investigative process run its course.”
Nolan Wells’ own autopsy findings pending further investigation
Mitchell said in his report that both the cause and manner of Wells’ death are undetermined pending further investigation. An independent autopsy was conducted July 10 after an initial autopsy by the state medical examiner, Crump said.
Martin told USA TODAY that the state medical examiner performed an initial autopsy on Wells at 8:30 a.m. July 7.
“Examinations were performed in accordance with standard procedures and protocols following all autopsies performed by the State Medical Examiner’s Office,” Martin said.
Among the notable findings in Mr Mitchell’s report was an area of red discoloration in the tissue at the back of Mr Wells’ head near the occipital bone.
“We actually saw that photo, and this is important. You can’t help but notice, why is there this dark red color on the back of his head?” Crump said.
Mitchell wrote that the cause of death is unknown, in part because details about the circumstances of Wells’ death are unknown, including how he got into the water and how exactly his body was found.
Due to the decomposition of the body and the fact that the initial autopsy had already been performed, Mitchell said it was not possible to fully examine Wells’ airway and stomach. Additionally, Mitchell said he does not have Wells’ toxicology results, which would be a key element of his findings.
Mitchell also said in his report that he received Wells’ body, with part of his neck and throat removed. Mitchell said those parts of the body were being retained by the coroner for further evaluation, which he assumed was common.
What we know about Nolan Wells’ death
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said investigators have found no signs of foul play and the investigation continues. However, speculation surrounding Wells’ death intensified after photos and videos purported to be related to the incident surfaced.
Crump said the family does not accept that Wells may have drowned accidentally, given that he was an excellent swimmer.
Once the Sheriff’s Office completes its investigation, the case will be turned over to Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlras, who will present it to a grand jury. This is standard procedure for unnatural deaths in Jackson County and does not necessarily indicate that a crime has been committed or suspected.
$125,000 reward announced as family remembers Nolan Wells at funeral
At Wells’ funeral on July 20, his mother, Christine Wells-Wonsley, and father, Elmore Wansley Sr., said their son had a “peaceful, gentle spirit,” the Mississippi Clarion-Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.
Christine Wells-Wonsley said: “Your absence has left a void that will never be filled. A part of our hearts will always be missing.” “Nolan, we love you.”
The funeral, financed by director and actor Tyler Perry, was attended by celebrities including Spike Lee and former NFL star Terrell Owens.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who led the service, announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction in Wells’ case, with a maximum of $100,000, including Perry’s match. On July 21, Owens said he would donate an additional $25,000.
Crump urged anyone with information about the incident to call 888-991-1772.
Nolan Wells’ family questions deleted messages and recorded argument
Sharpton said at a press conference on July 10 that much of the family’s concerns centered on the cellphone that Wells’ friends had with him after he went missing.
When it was returned, Wells Wonsley said that recent Snapchat activity appeared to have been deleted earlier than the app’s normal expiration date.
Mr. Sharpton and Mr. Crump said on July 10 that the family also knew that an argument on the island involving Mr. Wells was recorded shortly before his disappearance. In a comment to ABC News, one of Wells’ friends who was with him that day, Tracestin Shepherd, disputed that Wells appeared in the video.
Crump said at a July 10 press conference that the family has concerns about whether Mississippi authorities will be able to provide what they consider a fair and transparent investigation. Mr Sharpton called for a “full and thorough investigation” at the funeral.
Contributors: Anthony Thompson, Pam Dunkins, Bonnie Bolden, N’Dare Yancey Bragg
