Grand Jury Finds Nolan Wells’ Death Consistent With Drowning and No Evidence of a Crime — But His Family Says the Case Still Leaves Questions
A Mississippi grand jury has concluded that the circumstances surrounding 18-year-old Nolan Wells’ death were consistent with drowning and found no evidence that criminal conduct or racial motivation played a role in his disappearance.
The findings follow months of scrutiny surrounding Wells’ death after the college football athlete disappeared during a July 4 trip to Horn Island with friends. His body was discovered in the water two days later.
Despite the grand jury’s conclusions, both the state medical examiner and an independent pathologist hired by Wells’ family have left his official cause and manner of death undetermined.
And the Wells family’s attorney says they are not prepared to consider the matter settled.
Grand Jury Reviews Evidence Surrounding Wells’ Final Hours
This undated photo shows Nolan Wells. A search is underway for the 18-year-old Mississippi teen who disappeared after taking a trip to Horn Island with friends on the Fourth of July.Facebook/Christine Wonsley
The 23-member grand jury considered evidence from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office investigation, a forensic examination of Wells’ phone and sworn testimony from Dr. Roger Mitchell, the pathologist retained by Wells’ family to conduct an independent autopsy.
According to the grand jury report, the position and condition of Wells’ body, along with when and where it was discovered, were “consistent with drowning.”
Jurors found no fatal injury or organic disease that could otherwise explain his death.
They also found no evidence that anyone traveling with Wells was responsible for his death or committed a crime that led to it.
Witness Describes an Earlier Fall From a Boat
Wells’ funeral was held July 20, 2026.Christopher Oquendo for NY Post
One detail examined by the grand jury involved an incident several hours before Wells disappeared.
A witness testified that Wells slipped “awkwardly” from the side of a boat at approximately 3:30 p.m. on July 4.
The witness could not say with certainty whether Wells struck his head during the fall. Wells reportedly continued socializing afterward and did not appear injured.
Examinations later identified bruising on the back of his head, but the grand jury said that injury was not fatal.
The report also referenced suspected bruising on his shoulder and buttocks. However, jurors said they could not determine with absolute certainty whether the earlier fall caused those marks.
Autopsies Still Leave Cause of Death Undetermined
The Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office ultimately classified both Wells’ cause and manner of death as undetermined.
An independent examination commissioned by his family reached the same conclusion.
The second examination had initially raised questions because tissue from Wells’ throat area was no longer intact following the official post-mortem. According to the grand jury findings, however, Dr. Mitchell was later provided full access to examine the teen’s internal neck structures.
Even after reviewing the medical evidence, no fatal injury was identified.
That leaves an important distinction in the case: the grand jury found that the circumstances were consistent with drowning, but the medical examiner did not formally establish drowning as Wells’ cause of death.
What Happened on Horn Island
Wells traveled with friends to Horn Island, roughly 10 miles off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, for July 4 celebrations.
When the group encountered a mechanical problem with one of their boats, some of his friends returned to the mainland.
Wells remained on the island.
The grand jury report said remaining behind was not considered unusual, particularly on busy holidays when numerous visitors gather on the island.
Two days later, on July 6, Wells’ body was found in the water nearby.
Investigators also examined questions surrounding his belongings. The grand jury noted that Wells’ phone was not the only phone that returned to the mainland without its owner.
Grand Jury Rejects Claims of Criminal or Racial Motive
The circumstances of Wells’ disappearance fueled widespread speculation online, including accusations directed at people who had traveled to Horn Island with him.
The grand jury rejected those allegations.
It found no evidence that Wells’ disappearance or death resulted from criminal conduct and no evidence supporting claims that his death was racially motivated.
District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said there was “absolutely no evidence” supporting allegations of a racial motive and said Wells had chosen to remain on the island.
The report also pushed back against several claims that had circulated online, including assertions concerning who was present on Horn Island and the handling of Wells’ belongings.
Family Attorney Says Questions Remain
For Wells’ family, however, the grand jury report does not end the search for answers.
Attorney Ben Crump criticized the decision following the report’s release, arguing that Mississippi authorities were attempting to close the case without fully resolving what happened.
“This grand jury result leaves us with more questions than answers,” Crump said.
He added that Wells’ family would continue seeking answers about the teenager’s death.
That leaves the case in an unusual position months after Wells disappeared: investigators and the grand jury found no evidence of foul play, while medical examinations still list his cause and manner of death as undetermined.
The grand jury believes the available evidence is consistent with drowning.
For Wells’ family, the absence of a definitive medical cause means the questions surrounding his final hours have not completely disappeared.