Preliminary findings from an independent autopsy of 18-year-old Nolan Wells have introduced seven unanswered questions surrounding his death, which occurred after he vanished during a Fourth of July boating trip with friends. The autopsy, conducted by Dr. Roger Mitchell, President of the National Medical Association, on July 10, revealed a 12-by-8-inch red discoloration on the back of Wells' head. However, his official cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending further investigation, with the date of death also unknown.
Famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who announced the autopsy findings at a press conference Wednesday, stated that the pathologist could not rule out damage to the throat as a contributing factor to Wells’ death, as the throat had been removed during the initial autopsy. Wells’ parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley, were present at the conference.
Crump also noted that Wells' body was reportedly found fully clothed and face down, which contrasts with photographs from the day of the trip showing him shirtless in swimming trunks. The pathologist highlighted seven specific questions in the report, including the circumstances leading to Wells entering the water, the body's position when found, and the presence of water in the airway to indicate drowning. Further inquiries focused on evidence of injuries to the front of the neck or throat, potential brain bleeds, the composition of stomach contents, and toxicology report findings.
Wells' parents had his body transported over 800 miles to Washington D.C. for the independent examination. Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick reportedly assisted with the autopsy costs. Despite the unresolved questions, NAACP President Derrick Johnson acknowledged that Wells’ death could have been an accident, stating that resources are available to assist the family if that is the case.
The 18-year-old college football player was discovered deceased on July 6, several days after he went missing on a trip to Horn Island, Mississippi, with friends who subsequently left the island without him, according to police. His remains were positively identified using dental records the following day. Police have stated that no evidence of foul play has emerged thus far and that drowning is the suspected cause of death. The preliminary autopsy findings were released on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd Jr. had previously indicated that official post-mortem results, including toxicology tests, could take weeks.
Wells was laid to rest in a closed casket on Monday, two weeks after his body was found. His mother, Christine Wonsley, shared heartfelt words at the funeral, remembering her son's quiet nature, jokes, and ability to make others feel comfortable.