An independent autopsy commissioned by the family of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells lists both the cause and manner of his death as undetermined pending further investigation. One day after the findings were announced, Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath released a video statement explaining why investigators have not disclosed more information publicly.
District attorney addresses the investigation
McIlrath said local, state and federal agencies are examining evidence, following credible leads and reviewing witness interviews. She said the completed death investigation will be presented to a grand jury, which she described as standard practice for most deaths in the county other than natural deaths and non-criminal vehicle crashes.
The district attorney said professional-conduct rules limit what prosecutors may release during an active investigation. She said withholding investigative details is intended to protect witnesses, the fairness of the proceeding and the integrity of the grand-jury process.
“The pressure for answers does not change what the work requires,” McIlrath said. She added that the office’s restraint is not an effort to keep the truth from the public.
WLOX reported that the district attorney’s office confirmed the state autopsy report will not be released until it is reviewed by a grand jury. The state autopsy and toxicology findings have not been made public.
Independent autopsy leaves cause and manner undetermined
During a July 22 press conference at the NAACP National Convention in Chicago, attorney Ben Crump joined Nolan’s parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley, and NAACP President Derrick Johnson to present preliminary findings from the family’s independent autopsy.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Roger Mitchell conducted the second examination in Washington, D.C., on July 10. According to the preliminary report described at the press conference, Nolan’s cause of death, manner of death and date of death remain undetermined pending further investigation.
The preliminary examination found no skin lacerations or skull fractures. It noted a 12-by-8-inch area of red discoloration in soft tissue on the back of Nolan’s head, but the report did not determine that the discoloration resulted from trauma.
The independent examination was limited by decomposition and by the fact that it occurred after the Mississippi state autopsy. The independent pathologist did not receive certain organs and structures that had been retained following the first examination. Crump acknowledged that retaining organs for further testing can be standard practice.
Because the independent examiner did not have the throat, airway, lungs and stomach available for review, he could not independently evaluate several questions, including whether water was present in the airway, whether there was an injury to the front of the neck or what the stomach contained. The independent report did not include toxicology testing.
These limitations do not establish that Nolan was injured or that a crime occurred. They explain why the independent examination could not determine a cause or manner of death and why the family is requesting additional records and findings from the state examination.
Family continues to seek answers
At the press conference, Nolan’s mother said the family’s central question remains what happened to their son. Crump called for the state medical examiner to share relevant photographs, retained materials and toxicology findings with the family’s independent pathologist.
The family and NAACP also continued to call for a thorough and transparent investigation. Their criticism and questions represent the family’s position; authorities have not announced evidence establishing foul play.
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety said the state autopsy was conducted July 7 under the medical examiner’s standard procedures. Commissioner Sean Tindell said the investigation remains active and urged the public not to draw conclusions before it is complete.
Earlier agreements remain part of the investigation
Following a July 15 meeting with McIlrath, the family’s attorneys said the official and independent investigative teams planned a coordinated examination of data from Nolan’s phone. Investigators have not announced a finding that information was deleted from the device.
What happens next
- Evidence review
Investigators continue analyzing interviews, digital evidence and credible leads.
- Phone examination
The official and independent investigative teams are expected to review downloaded phone data.
- State medical findings
The state autopsy report and toxicology findings have not been released publicly.
- Grand-jury presentation
After the investigation is completed, the findings will be presented to a grand jury. This does not mean anyone has been charged or that investigators have concluded a crime occurred.
Nolan traveled to Horn Island with a group of friends on July 4 but did not return with them. His body was found in the water near the island on July 6.
Please continue to pray for Nolan’s family, his friends and the community at large as the investigation continues.
Sources and further reading
- District attorney’s official video statementJackson County District Attorney’s Office
- Full transcript of District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath’s statementWLOX
- Independent autopsy lists cause and manner of death as undeterminedAssociated Press
- Preliminary independent autopsy findings and state responseWLOX
- July 22 press conference with Nolan Wells’ family, Ben Crump and the NAACPNAACP
- Media advisory for the July 22 press conferenceBen Crump Law