- An independent autopsy report found that Nolan Wells' cause and manner of death were undetermined, pending investigation.
- Dr. Roger Mitchell, who performed the independent autopsy, stated he could not rule out foul play due to missing evidence.
- The independent autopsy revealed red discoloration on the back of Wells' head, but the cause of this discoloration could not be determined.
- The report was deemed inconclusive due to missing body parts and incomplete procedures, including the absence of a toxicology report.
- Mitchell could not determine whether Wells was conscious when he entered the water or how he ended up there.
- Family attorney Ben Crump has called for local authorities to share findings and include Mitchell in grand jury proceedings.
- Nolan Wells disappeared during a Fourth of July trip to an island off Mississippi, and his body was later found face down and fully clothed.
- The initial state autopsy was conducted before the independent autopsy by Dr. Roger Mitchell at Howard University.
An independent autopsy of Nolan Wells, conducted by Dr. Roger Mitchell, revealed that the cause of death remains 'undetermined' due to significant evidence gaps, including missing body parts and a lack of toxicology results.1
Attorney Ben Crump emphasized that the absence of critical neck components, such as the thyroid bone and trachea, prevents a definitive conclusion about potential neck injuries.
“This pathologist cannot rule out injury to the neck as a contributor or a cause of death,” Crump stated, urging local authorities to share findings from the state autopsy.7
The report noted red discoloration on the back of Wells' head, which could indicate intracranial hemorrhaging, but the cause remains unclear.3
“When a death occurs in or around a body of water, with suspicion from drowning, it is important to confirm how that person entered the water,” Crump said, highlighting the need for clarity on whether Wells was conscious when he entered the water.6
Crump also mentioned that witnesses reported Wells' body was found face down and fully clothed, raising further questions about the circumstances of his death.
“While this gives us significant information, it still leaves more questions than answers,” Crump concluded, as the investigation continues to seek the truth behind Wells' tragic death.
“The independent autopsy, performed by Dr. Roger Mitchell, noted red discoloration on the back of Wells’ head and could not rule out foul play because critical neck parts were missing. Family attorney Ben Crump has called on local authorities to share their findings and include Mitchell in the grand jury proceedings, as the family demands honesty.”
