A grand jury has determined that Nolan Wells’ death was consistent with drowning and found no evidence of foul play after reviewing the official autopsy and other evidence in the closely watched case.
The Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office previously listed the 18-year-old’s cause and manner of death as undetermined. That conclusion matched the findings of an independent autopsy conducted by a pathologist retained by Wells’ family.
“The Grand Jury finds that the position of, the condition of, time of discovery, and location of Mr. Wells’ body is consistent with drowning,” according to the report filed Friday in Jackson County.
Jurors also concluded that there was no evidence a crime contributed to Wells’ death.
The reports noted bruising to the back of Wells’ head but said the injury was not fatal. The grand jury found no other fatal injuries or signs of organic disease, according to the documents.
Wells, who was Black, had traveled with a group of friends to Horn Island, roughly 10 miles off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, on July 4.
The college football player’s friends returned to the mainland after their boat developed mechanical problems, while Wells remained on the island.
His body was found in the water off Horn Island on July 6.
“There is absolutely no evidence to support the allegations that Nolan’s death and disappearance were racially motivated,” District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said in a statement released Monday.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
