Experts Weigh in After Unclear Autopsy of Nolan Wells

WHO:

CNN - Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Mississippi teenager.

CNN - Ben Crump, attorney representing Wells' family.

PBS - Dr. Roger Mitchell, forensic pathologist who conducted the independent autopsy.

NY Post - United Cajun Navy, organization confirming details about Wells' body.

PBS - Christine Wells-Wonsley, Wells' mother.

PBS - Rev. Al Sharpton, filmmaker Tyler Perry, and former NFL player Terrell Owens, offering a reward for information.

WHAT:

CNN - The independent autopsy report indicated that the pathologist could not rule out injury to the neck as a contributor or cause of death.

PBS - The independent autopsy report listed seven outstanding questions, including whether there was water in Wells' airway and whether he had a brain bleed.

PBS - Civil rights attorney Ben Crump stated, "This pathologist cannot rule out if any intervening non-accidental factors contributed to or caused the death of Nolan Wells."

PBS - Crump expressed hope that the Mississippi medical examiner's office would provide Dr. Mitchell with its photos and observations of Wells' body.

PBS - The Jackson County sheriff’s department has interviewed dozens of witnesses and is collaborating with the FBI in the investigation.

TMZ - The parents of Nolan Wells’ friend allowed their boat to be searched by police amid the investigation into the teenager’s death.

TMZ - Nolan Wells' mother wants to see photos of his body taken during the search and rescue effort and has requested to see them in person.

PBS - The initial autopsy removed and dissected Wells' organs, which is customary in such cases.

CNN - The state autopsy performed by the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to provide insights into the cause and manner of death, but the process could take months.

PBS - The independent autopsy report listed seven outstanding questions, including whether there was water in Wells' airway and whether he had a brain bleed.

PBS - Civil rights attorney Ben Crump stated that the proper venue to interpret the results of the toxicology report would be before a grand jury.

PBS - Crump expressed hope that the Mississippi medical examiner's office would provide Dr. Mitchell with its photos and observations of Wells' body.

CNN - The independent autopsy report listed multiple unanswered questions, including how Wells entered the water and whether he had any neck injuries or brain bleeding.

PBS - The independent autopsy report indicated that the pathologist could not rule out injury to the neck as a contributor or cause of death.

PBS - The independent autopsy faced limitations, including the inability to directly observe the airway and lungs for water and the stomach for gastric contents.

PBS - The independent autopsy found red discoloration in the soft tissue at the back of Wells' head, but the cause of this discoloration remains unclear.

CBS News - The independent autopsy results confirmed that the cause and manner of death for Nolan Wells were undetermined, pending further investigation.

CNN - The state autopsy conducted by the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to be released, pending the outcome of standard toxicology tests.

PBS - Civil rights attorney Ben Crump stated, "We have more questions than answers at this time," regarding the findings of the independent autopsy.

PBS - Crump demanded transparency from local authorities, expressing hope that the Mississippi medical examiner's office would provide Dr. Mitchell with its photos and observations of Wells' body.

PBS - Crump indicated that the proper venue to interpret the results of the toxicology report would be before a grand jury.

TMZ - Rep. Jonathan Jackson stated that the investigation into Nolan Wells' death has "all the makings of a potential cover-up" and suggested that race is a factor in the case.

CNN - The preliminary independent autopsy report described Nolan Wells' manner of death as undetermined pending further investigation.

NY Post - The United Cajun Navy confirmed that Nolan Wells was not fully clothed when his body was found in the water.

PBS - Civil rights attorney Ben Crump stated, "This pathologist cannot rule out if any intervening non-accidental factors contributed to or caused the death of Nolan Wells."

PBS - The independent autopsy report listed seven outstanding questions, including whether there was water in Wells' airway and whether he had a brain bleed.

CBS News - The independent autopsy results found the cause and manner of death for Nolan Wells were undetermined, pending further investigation.

CNN - An independent autopsy could not determine the cause of death for Nolan Wells.

CNN - Wells' body was found on July 6 after going missing during a boating trip on July 4.

PBS - The independent autopsy found red discoloration in the soft tissue at the back of Wells' head.

PBS - A reward of $125,000 is being offered for information leading to a conviction in Wells' death.

CNN - The Jackson County sheriff’s department has interviewed dozens of witnesses and is working with the FBI.

WHERE:

CNN - Wells' body was found along the shoreline of Horn Island, Mississippi.

PBS - The independent autopsy was conducted in Chicago at the 117th NAACP National Convention.

WHEN:

CNN - The independent autopsy was conducted on July 10.

CNN - The state autopsy was performed on July 7.

CNN - Wells' body was found on July 6.

WHY:

CNN - Wells' parents requested an independent autopsy because they felt the circumstances of his death "are not adding up."

PBS - Crump stated that the condition of Wells before entering the water is crucial to determining the cause and manner of death.

HOW:

TMZ - The parents of Nolan Wells’ friend allowed their boat to be searched by police amid the investigation into the teenager’s death.

TMZ - Nolan Wells' mother wants to see photos of his body taken during the search and rescue effort and has requested to see them in person.

CNN - The Jackson County sheriff’s department has interviewed dozens of witnesses and is collaborating with the FBI in the investigation.

TMZ - The parents of Nolan Wells’ friend allowed their boat to be searched by police amid the investigation into the teenager’s death.

PBS - Dr. Roger Mitchell noted that he did not receive Wells' internal neck structures, including his trachea, which is common practice for further testing if there are concerns of fracture or neck compression.

CNN - The independent autopsy faced limitations, including the retention of some remains by the state and the absence of toxicology results.

PBS - The initial autopsy removed and dissected Wells' organs, which is customary in such cases.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 02:50 UTC)

An independent autopsy report has revealed that the pathologist could not rule out neck injury as a potential contributor to the death of Nolan Wells, while also listing seven outstanding questions regarding the circumstances of his passing. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump emphasized the need for further investigation, expressing hope that the Mississippi medical examiner's office would share its findings with Dr. Mitchell, as the Jackson County sheriff’s department continues to interview witnesses and collaborate with the FBI. Additionally, the parents of Wells' friend have permitted police to search their boat, and Wells' mother has requested to see photos of her son's body taken during the search and rescue effort.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 21:19 UTC)

The Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office is set to conduct a state autopsy that could take months to reveal the cause and manner of death in the case of Nolan Wells. An independent autopsy report has raised seven key questions, including whether there was water in Wells' airway and if he suffered a brain bleed, while civil rights attorney Ben Crump emphasized that the toxicology report should be interpreted by a grand jury. Meanwhile, the parents of Wells' friend have allowed police to search their boat as part of the investigation, and Wells' mother is seeking to view photos of her son's body taken during the search and rescue effort.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 20:20 UTC)

An independent autopsy report on Nolan Wells has revealed multiple unanswered questions, including how he entered the water and whether he sustained any neck injuries or brain bleeding, while also confirming that the cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending further investigation. The report noted red discoloration in the soft tissue at the back of Wells' head, but the cause of this remains unclear, and it faced limitations such as the inability to directly observe the airway and lungs. Meanwhile, the Jackson County sheriff’s department is actively interviewing dozens of witnesses and collaborating with the FBI, while the parents of Wells' friend have allowed their boat to be searched by police as part of the ongoing investigation.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 19:25 UTC)

The Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office has not yet released the state autopsy, as it is still awaiting the results of standard toxicology tests. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has expressed that there are more questions than answers regarding the independent autopsy findings and is calling for transparency from local authorities, particularly hoping for cooperation from the medical examiner's office. Meanwhile, Representative Jonathan Jackson has raised concerns about the investigation into Nolan Wells' death, suggesting it has "all the makings of a potential cover-up" and implying that race may play a role in the case.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 17:24 UTC)

The preliminary independent autopsy report on Nolan Wells has determined that his manner of death is undetermined, pending further investigation. The United Cajun Navy confirmed that Wells was not fully clothed when his body was discovered in the water, and civil rights attorney Ben Crump emphasized that the pathologist could not rule out any non-accidental factors that may have contributed to his death. Additionally, the report raised seven critical questions, including whether there was water in Wells' airway and whether he suffered a brain bleed, while Dr. Roger Mitchell noted he did not receive Wells' internal neck structures for further testing.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 16:26 UTC)

An independent autopsy conducted on Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Mississippi teenager whose body was found along the shoreline of Horn Island, could not determine the cause of death, revealing red discoloration in the soft tissue at the back of his head. His family, represented by attorney Ben Crump, requested this autopsy due to concerns that the circumstances surrounding his death "are not adding up," and a reward of $125,000 is being offered for information leading to a conviction in the case. The Jackson County sheriff’s department is actively investigating, having interviewed dozens of witnesses and is collaborating with the FBI as they seek answers following Wells' disappearance during a boating trip on July 4.