- Nolan Wells was seen on Horn Island on July 4, where his best friend reported that he seemed completely fine during their time together.
- Wells did not return to the mainland with his friends, and his body was found floating off the island's coast two days later.
- A private autopsy commissioned by Wells' family found the cause and manner of death to be undetermined pending further investigation.
- The Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office conducted its own autopsy but has yet to release the results.
- The family's attorney noted that the preliminary findings of the independent autopsy suggested Nolan may have suffered an injury to the back of his head.
- The independent investigation into the circumstances of Wells' disappearance is led by attorney Ben Crump.
- Initial interviews suggested that Wells chose to stay on the island, and his friends believed he would get a ride with someone else.
- A reward of $125,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in connection with Wells' death.
- The still-unknown circumstances surrounding Wells' death have led to speculation and calls for transparency from local authorities.
An independent autopsy for Nolan Wells, 18, revealed his cause and manner of death as 'undetermined', pending further investigation. The autopsy, commissioned by Wells' family and funded by former NFL player Colin Kaepernick, found no evidence of fractures or bruising, but noted 'red discoloration' in the soft tissue at the back of his head.13
Wells disappeared after a July 4 boat trip with friends to Horn Island, Mississippi, and his body was discovered two days later. Initial interviews indicated that Wells chose to remain on the island, with friends believing he would find another ride back. Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter stated that the friends are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Wells' friend, Warren Hudson, described him as 'completely fine' during their time together, laughing and joking without any signs of distress. However, the circumstances surrounding his death have led to rampant online speculation and calls for transparency from local leaders, particularly given the racial dynamics of the group, as Wells was Black and his friends were white.9
A reward of $125,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction related to Wells' death. Attorney Ben Crump emphasized the need for answers, stating, 'This is only another part of the puzzle... we still have more questions than we have answers.'8
“Family attorney Ben Crump said the pathologist found red discoloration in the back of Wells' head but no skull fractures, noting decomposition made a definitive ruling impossible. A $125,000 reward, funded by Al Sharpton, Tyler Perry, and Terrell Owens, is offered for information leading to an arrest.”
The Globe and Mail
TMZ
