Autopsy results for Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Mississippi teen who disappeared during a Fourth of July boat trip, have not yet determined the cause of his death, leaving his family awaiting crucial information. Dr. Michael Baden, a former Chief Medical Examiner of New York City, told The Post that while there is currently no definitive evidence of foul play, investigators are still waiting on key findings, particularly from the toxicology report.
Challenges related to decomposition and an unresolved cause for a 12-inch "discoloration" to Wells' scalp are contributing to the delay in answers. "Right now, the situation is you can't tell the cause of death," Dr. Baden said. "Normally, routine toxicology for drugs of abuse is finished as a priority. And within a week or two, almost all the drugs can be identified."
Dr. Baden noted that while some newer cannabinoid drugs can take longer to detect, they are typically not a primary factor in fatalities. He also addressed concerns raised by civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump regarding the removal of Wells' throat prior to a second autopsy. Dr. Baden explained that retaining organs like the windpipe for further examination is not uncommon in complex cases, as it allows for a more detailed inspection for subtle injuries such as minuscule fractures.
The nature of the injury to Wells' scalp, described as approximately 12 inches long on the back of the head, also remains a subject of uncertainty. Dr. Baden stated that this could be a result of postmortem decomposition, an accidental injury from falling or striking an object in the water, or potentially an impact that occurred before his death. "One can't rule out that he wasn't struck in the head before he went in the water. But there are a lot of innocent ways it could have happened," he said.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities await further results to clarify the circumstances surrounding Nolan Wells' death.