Key facts
- A Mississippi grand jury decided not to charge anyone in the death of Nolan Wells.
- The grand jury reviewed evidence from 43 witnesses and investigators.
- The grand jury report found no credible evidence of criminal conduct related to Wells' death.
- The report stated that allegations of racial motivation were false assertions.
- An independent autopsy found unexplained blunt force injuries on Wells' head and back.
- Both the independent autopsy and the state's medical examiner listed the cause and manner of death as undetermined.
A Mississippi grand jury has unanimously decided not to bring criminal charges in connection with the death of Nolan Wells, a teenager who died after a July 4th boat outing. The Jackson County grand jury, which met between September 14 and September 18, reviewed evidence from 43 witnesses and investigators, including mobile phone data, forensic reports, and GPS data.
The grand jury report, released by the Jackson County District Attorney's office, stated there was "no credible evidence to support the public allegations that any persons who rode to or from Horn Island on July 4, 2026... engaged in any criminal conduct related to the death of Mr Wells." The report further dismissed allegations of racial motivation as "false assertions" stemming from "public clamor and private malice."
Wells, who was Black, was the only member of his group not to return from the outing. His family, represented by attorney Ben Crump, has contested the findings. They cite an independent autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr., which reportedly found "recent unexplained blunt force injuries to the back of the head and additional areas of his back." Both the independent autopsy and the state's chief medical examiner concluded that the cause and manner of death were undetermined, with the grand jury report suggesting drowning was consistent with the condition and location of Wells' body.
District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath stated in a video accompanying the report that "There is absolutely no evidence to support the allegations that Nolan’s disappearance and death were racially motivated." However, Wells' family has consistently pushed back on the idea that he would have separated from his group, as suggested in the report. Elmore Wonsley, Wells' father, stated in July that he had always taught his son to "stay with a group" for safety.
Ben Crump stated that the grand jury's decision "leaves us with more questions than answers" and that the family is releasing the full independent autopsy report. They are calling for the investigation to remain open and for the Department of Justice to intervene if Mississippi does not continue to pursue the case. The grand jury report noted that there is no statute of limitations for homicide cases in Mississippi.