JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. A Mississippi grand jury has declined to issue indictments in connection with the death of Nolan Xavier Wells, the 18-year-old student-athlete whose body was found near Horn Island two days after a Fourth of July outing.
Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath announced Monday that the 23-member grand jury unanimously returned a “no true bill,” meaning it found insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges, after hearing testimony from 43 witnesses and reviewing physical and digital evidence.
According to its report, the grand jury found no evidence that criminal activity caused Wells’ death or that his death or disappearance was racially motivated.
The report said the position and condition of Wells’ body, along with the time and place it was discovered, were consistent with drowning. Drowning, however, has not been established as his official cause of death.
Both the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office and the independent pathologist retained by Wells’ family classified the cause and manner of death as undetermined. The medical findings described drowning as a “diagnosis of exclusion,” meaning it remains a possible explanation after other causes could not be established.
The grand jury reviewed nonfatal bruising on the back of Wells’ head. The state and independent medical examiners reportedly disagreed about suspected bruising on his shoulder and buttocks that did not extend into deeper tissue. Jurors found no evidence of a fatal injury or underlying disease.
Wells traveled to Horn Island with friends July 4 but did not return to the mainland with them. His body was discovered in the water near the island July 6.
His family, represented by civil-rights attorney Ben Crump, previously raised questions about conflicting accounts and called for a transparent investigation. An independent autopsy commissioned by the family found no fractures or deep-tissue injuries but could not determine exactly how Wells died.
As of publication, Good News Now could not independently verify a public response from Wells’ family or legal team to the grand jury’s decision.
Please continue to pray for Nolan’s family and community as they process this latest development.