Independent preliminary autopsy results for 18-year-old Nolan Wells have come back inconclusive, prompting the family, which is represented by civil rights attorney and racial activist Ben Crump, to call for further investigation.
Wells, a popular and outgoing football player at his community college, disappeared on July 4 after becoming separated from friends during a boating trip to Horn Island, off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. His body was found in the water near the island two days later, on July 6, following an extensive search. Local authorities initially said there were no obvious signs of foul play and believed Wells likely drowned, though they emphasized the investigation remained active while awaiting autopsy and toxicology results.
During an independent autopsy, the pathologist found a large area of red discoloration on the back of Wells’ head and neck area that could be consistent with trauma, though decomposition prevented a definitive conclusion. Additionally, some of Wells’ organs and portions of his neck structures had been retained during the original autopsy, limiting what the independent pathologist could evaluate. The cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending further investigation, and the official state autopsy and toxicology results are still pending.
Independent autopsy preliminary findings on Nolan Xavier Wells (18) released today by forensic pathologist Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD (July 19, 2026 report):
• Extensive additional dissections performed (face, posterior head/neck, ribs, pelvis, soft tissues of back, buttocks,… pic.twitter.com/tkXXLth5dB
— Ryan Burt (@RyanBURTio) July 22, 2026
The teen’s family is represented by attorney Ben Crump, who has previously advanced racial narratives in high-profile cases — such as the cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota — before investigations were completed. Wells is black, and he was photographed with friends who are white during the holiday.
Crump said at a Wednesday press conference that Wells’ parents were told by the United Cajun Navy that their son’s body was found face down and fully clothed. The volunteer group posted afterward on X that it had said no such thing, writing that Wells “was wearing only swim trunks.”
“[We] didn’t say Nolan was fully clothed when found. He was wearing only swim trunks,” the account posted to X. “Please don’t misrepresent our words.”
@AttorneyCrump we didn’t say Nolan was fully clothed when found. He was wearing only swim trunks. Please don’t misrepresent our words. pic.twitter.com/3NGjuKe4yD
— United Cajun Navy (@Unitedcajunnavy) July 22, 2026
The Wells family has also suggested that Wells’ phone was missing texts and Snapchat photos before it was returned to them, though this has not been verified. Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, said her son’s Snapchat account looked empty of photos, which she found unusual. A forensic examination of the phone by experts retained by both the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office and the Wells family is underway to determine if messages were deleted by someone other than the teen.
Conservative podcast host Brandon Tatum recently spoke to Warren Hudson, a friend of Wells who was with the teen on the weekend he went missing. Hudson said he spoke with Wells several times on July 4 and that his friend seemed joyful, happy, and like his usual self. Hudson said Wells had been drinking but appeared to be fine. The friend also said the group mingled with hundreds of people on Horn Island, that he witnessed no altercations involving Wells, and that everyone began searching for him after realizing he had gone missing.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Warren Hudson says he spoke with Nolan Wells several times on the Fourth of July and that the group mingled with hundreds of people while Nolan showed no obvious signs that anything was wrong.
Watch part 1 of the interview with Warren Hudson in the link below: pic.twitter.com/6c6NHc5yw4
— Brandon Tatum (@TheOfficerTatum) July 22, 2026
A fundraiser for the Wells family is seeking $850,000 and has so far raised more than $750,000. Wells is described as a “beloved son, grandson, brother, friend and teammate whose life touched so many people.” The fundraiser says Wells’ “smile, kind heart, and love for others left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.”
The money, the fundraiser says, will go toward funeral and memorial costs, investigation matters, and other expenses related to the mental and emotional anguish the family is suffering from Wells’ disappearance and death: “Funds raised will be used for funeral and memorial expenses, celebration of life services, and any additional costs associated with honoring Nolan’s memory. We will also use these funds to investigate what happened to Nolan and how he died, to pursue legal and just consequences for Nolan’s death and to fight for transparency and justice in our pursuit for the truth. Any remaining funds will help the family treat and manage the mental and emotional anguish associated with Nolan’s disappearance, his death and all the unanswered questions and mystery surrounding his death.”
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