Independent autopsy of missing Mississippi teen Nolan Wells yields no definitive cause of death

A preliminary independent autopsy performed by forensic pathologist Dr. Roger Mitchell on July 10 could not determine the manner or cause of death of Nolan Wells, a Black teenager who was found dead after going missing on a Mississippi island on July 4. The report noted red discoloration in the soft tissue at the back of Wells' head, but the cause of the discoloration was unclear, and the pathologist said he could not rule out non-accidental factors.

Mitchell, who did not attend the news conference held at the NAACP National Convention, said he did not receive Wells' internal neck structures, including the trachea, which limited his ability to assess possible neck injury or compression. He also cited the inability to directly observe the airway, lungs, and stomach as a major constraint on the investigation.

Civil-rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, said the autopsy raised more questions than answers and called for transparency from local authorities, including the release of photos and observations from the county medical examiner’s office. He suggested that the toxicology findings should be presented before a grand jury.

Wells' mother, Christine Wells-Wonsley, expressed concern over the lack of communication from the sheriff’s office, which had initially concluded that Wells drowned without suspecting foul play. The family and their attorney continue to seek a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Wells' death.

The autopsy report listed seven outstanding questions, such as what prompted Wells to enter the water, whether water was present in his airway, and whether a brain bleed occurred. A $125,000 reward has been offered by several public figures for information leading to a conviction.