Independent autopsy finds Nolan Wells' cause of death 'undetermined'

generalJul 22, 202616161

A preliminary independent autopsy released Wednesday found the cause and manner of death for 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells undetermined, family attorney Ben Crump said. Wells’ body was found July 6 along the shoreline of Horn Island off the Mississippi coast after he was last seen July 4 in the afternoon. Forensic pathologist Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr., who performed the privately funded independent autopsy requested by the family, said several limitations prevented a definitive determination, including that he did not have access to all of Wells’ remains after the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy on July 7. Mitchell noted it is common practice to retain anterior neck structures during an initial autopsy and said he cannot rule out injury to the neck as a contributor or cause of death. The state’s autopsy results have not been released and remain pending standard toxicology tests. Wells’ death drew nationwide attention and questions about whether race played a role, after photos showed him on a Fourth of July boat trip to the uninhabited Horn Island with mostly White friends and at least one other Black friend. Authorities and the family say investigations are ongoing.

Mississippi Free Press

@mississippifreepress.org

Christine Wonsley said her son, Nolan Wells, had a way about him that made everyone feel at ease and his absence has left “an emptiness that can never truly be filled.” “We will always be proud of the legacy of love, kindness and faith that you have left behind,” she said.

334h ago

𝕊𝕒𝕝𝕥𝕪𝔹𝕚𝕥𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖𝕤

@saltybitchables.bsky.social

The autopsy results are announced live. Equal justice for Nolan Wells. ✊🏻🔥 They should investigate this shooting as if it were their own child that was shot in the head. #Proudblue #NolanWells #Mississippi www.youtube.com/live/0Hlr4NT...

254h ago

Ashton Pittman

@ashtonpittman.bsky.social

The forensic pathologist who examined Nolan Wells said the independent autopsy is inconclusive in part because the Mississippi Medical Examiner’s Office retained some of Wells’ body parts, which he said was likely for the purpose of further examination, a “common forensic pathology practice.”

224h ago

Quoting this

Kimberly Griffin20

Follow this guy and the @mississippifreepress.org for factual and accurate information on the Nolan Wells case.

HuffPost

@huffpost.com

The teen’s body was already too decomposed at the time of the second autopsy and some of the organs were already dissected or missing, said civil rights attorney Ben Crump.

94h ago

Quoting this

Muffin Men Stan 🤎🙂‍↕️13

You know who else’s body parts were missing in a case that was determined to be an “accident” by local law enforcement?

OuterBoroPrincess10

“Everybody knows about Mississippi, GOD DAMNNNNN!”

Osiris, as Mystique's Wig10

So... They went into that man's body and messed everything up so that nothing could be deduced? Does that count as destroying evidence?

Wonder Woman 🐝 Demands Justice6

His throat was missing?! Wtaf?!

quaithe of the shadow asshai4

See? Somebody is trying to cover this shit up

PortiaMcGonagal

@portiamcgonagal.bsky.social

Released ahead of the state's. Don't make more of this than it says...care and time need to be taken with getting the facts. "...the doctor who performed the autopsy said in the report that he could not rule out foul play,..." www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

124h ago

Our Man Tho 🇻🇮 🇵🇷

@hitdogsholler.com

Not optimistic about any justice for Nolan Wells. All I can say is, keep ya kids away from them white people. And I mean that shit with all my heart.

132h ago

Rachel Hatzipanagos

@rachelbianca.bsky.social

Nolan Wells' throat was missing when his body was sent to DC for an independent autopsy, attorney Ben Crump said. As a result of this an other issues, the cause of death is still "undetermined."

54h ago

Dogkowski1

How did it go missing?

Rachel Hatzipanagos1

Yes, it’s unusual, and the family is pushing for why and what happened

Mr. Frost

@edmondfrost.bsky.social

Thanks to former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick for covering the cost of the independent autopsy for Nolan Wells family and to Dr. Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD for conducting it. Nolan’s family deserves the truth, and those responsible must be held accountable.

72h ago

Scripps News

@scrippsnews.bsky.social

A second, independent autopsy of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells has not yet determined the cause or manner of his death, announced civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Wells' family.

64h ago

RoseMarie

@rosesbloom24.bsky.social

For Nolan Wells’ family, the most disturbing revelation from his independent autopsy wasn’t simply that doctors couldn’t determine how he died–it was that they couldn’t examine one of the most critical parts of his body because it was missing. www.theroot.com/missing-rema...

41h ago

NBC10 Philadelphia

@nbcphiladelphia.com

'Cannot rule out foul play' after independent autopsy for Nolan Wells, attorney says

51h ago

Justin Of Brooklyn🇰🇳🇵🇸

@neohxc.bsky.social

$100K Reward Offered by Tyler Perry and Al Sharpton for ‘the Truth’ About Nolan Wells’ Death After Party #nolanwells people.com/tyler-perry-...

3Yesterday

Hakuna Matata

@misspiajay.bsky.social

Everything about Nolan Wells death is infuriating. I can’t even fathom what his parents are going through.

43h ago

The Bulge Police

@jrzthoughts.bsky.social

I don’t wanna hear anything about Nolan Wells case until they start arresting ppl.

51h ago

I am Tiki, bisexual feminist 🩷💜💙

@immortalbidesign.bsky.social

black lives matter. stop killing young black men. stop killing young black women. stop killing black folx. no way a black kid goes out with his white friends and they all make it back alive except for him. #nolanwells

5Yesterday

3 sources

cnn.comPreliminary independent autopsy results for Nolan Wells’ death are released | CNN usatoday.comNolan Wells independent autopsy says cause of death undetermined npr.orgIndependent autopsy "inconclusive" on cause of death for 18-year-old Nolan Wells in Mississippi