The official state autopsy for Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old college student who died after a Fourth of July boat trip, has been completed, according to officials familiar with the investigation.
The autopsy was conducted by the State Medical Examiner's office in Mississippi. The results have not yet been released to the public.
Wells vanished during a boat trip with friends to Horn Island, a barrier island approximately 10 miles off the Gulf Coast, on July 4. His body was recovered several days later.
A private autopsy commissioned by Wells' family preliminarily found the cause and manner of death to be undetermined pending investigation. The family's attorney noted that the independent pathologist acknowledged multiple limitations in the report.
Once the state's investigation is concluded, case materials, including the autopsy report, will be presented to a grand jury. The Jackson County District Attorney's office has stated that convening a grand jury is standard procedure for suspicious deaths in the county and does not inherently indicate criminality.
Investigators are also examining audio from a distressed phone call placed by one of Wells' friends to a local towing company. The call, made during a return trip from Horn Island, reported that the boat was sinking and required assistance. Friends have stated that Wells was not on board during this call. Officials are conducting their own analysis of the audio for additional clues. The towing company, Sea Tow, confirmed it was informed the boat was sinking but ultimately stated its services were not needed as the boat found other assistance.
Ben Crump, the Wells family's attorney, announced that his team possesses the audio tapes from the call and intends to engage consultants and audio experts for their analysis.