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Nolan Wells autopsy: Is cause of death revealed? 5 shocking things to know as Ben Crump announces preliminary findings

The Wells family and attorney Ben Crump revealed an independent autopsy on Nolan Wells, a Mississippi teen found dead after a boating trip.

Published on: Jul 22, 2026, 19:31:38 IST
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The Wells family, along with attorney Ben Crump, revealed the findings of an independent autopsy conducted on Nolan Wells, the Mississippi teenager who was found dead following a boating excursion.

Nolan Wells update: Nolan Wells' family, with attorney Ben Crump, announced that an autopsy revealed undetermined cause of death as the investigation is ongoing. (GoFundMe)
Nolan Wells update: Nolan Wells' family, with attorney Ben Crump, announced that an autopsy revealed undetermined cause of death as the investigation is ongoing. (GoFundMe)

Crump revealed the findings during a press conference on Wednesday, which was attended by the grieving parents of Wells, Christine and Elmore Wonsley.

Nolan Wells cause of death not revealed

Crump stated that the cause and manner of death remain undetermined, as the investigation is ongoing.

Wells' parents had shifted their 18-year-old son's body to be transported over 800 miles to Washington, DC, where an independent autopsy was performed by Dr. Roger Mitchell.

Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback, was assisting with the expenses, as previously disclosed by Crump.

Also Read: Who is Christine Wonsley? How Nolan Wells' mom could potentially sue over son's death

Nolan Wells independent autopsy findings: 5 things to know

  1. Nolan Wells may have sustained an injury to the back of his head, as indicated by the initial findings of the independent autopsy commissioned by his family.
  2. The family's attorney, Ben Crump, noted the presence of a “focal area of red discoloration in the soft tissue in the back of the head,” measuring 12 by 8 inches in the lower region of the skull.
  3. There was considerable decomposition, making it difficult to ascertain whether there were any bruises on Nolan's skin.
  4. According to WebMD, discoloration at the back of the head may occasionally result from blood pooling when the body is laid on a slab for examination.
  5. Crump further said that when the body was examined by the independent medical examiner, it lacked parts of the throat, which had seemingly been removed by the official medical examiner for additional analysis.

Nolan Wells death: Official autopsy results will take several weeks

The official autopsy results have not yet been disclosed by the authorities.

The 18-year-old college football player was discovered deceased on July 6, just days after he went missing during a trip to Horn Island, Mississippi, with friends who departed the island without him, as reported by the police.

The remains of the teenager were confirmed to be his the next day through dental records.

At that time, Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd Jr. informed The Post that the findings from the official autopsy might take several weeks as they awaited the toxicology test results.

Crump had previously mentioned to former CNN anchor Don Lemon that the second autopsy would determine whether Wells had experienced “any physical injuries to his body beyond from drowning.”

Rev. Al Sharpton announces $50,000 award

The announcement was made as Rev. Al Sharpton has pledged a reward of $50,000 through the National Action Network for any information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

"He was not on that island by himself," Sharpton said. "Somebody saw something and knows something. So I didn't come to make money. I came to give money. Stand up and tell the truth."

Sharpton revealed the reward during Wells' funeral on Monday, saying that someone present at the July 4 event on Horn Island in Mississippi is aware of the events that transpired.

"We cannot say it was racist, but we cannot say it was not racist," Sharpton said. “So let's not judge either way until all the evidence is in.”

  • Shweta Kukreti
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Shweta Kukreti

    Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More

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