Independent autopsy of Black Mississippi teenager Nolan Wells finds 'undetermined' cause of death

An independent autopsy conducted by the family of Nolan Xavier Wells found that the 18-year-old's cause and manner of death are “undetermined” as the investigation continues.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the Wells family, announced the findings for the first time Wednesday before a private-only crowd at the NAACP's annual conference in Chicago.

The autopsy report, he said, showed no evidence of fractures or deep tissue damage. It described the “red discoloration” on the back of Wells' skull as “nonspecific” and requiring further investigation.

Without more information, forensic pathologist Dr. Robert Mitchell wrote that he could not rule out the possibility that “non-accidental factors may have contributed to or caused the death.”

Wells had gone to an island off the coast of Mississippi on July 4 with a group of friends, who later returned to the country without him. His body was found two days later floating off the coast of the island.

In his report, the coroner pointed to several challenges in an independent autopsy, including the decomposition of the body and remaining questions about whether Wells was conscious when he went into the water.

Because the initial autopsy was performed by the medical examiner in Mississippi, Wells' body came without any body parts or neck structures — making it difficult to determine whether he suffered a neck injury or water entering his lungs, according to the report, which notes the practice is unusual.

A separate autopsy has not been released

Still, the revelation, relayed by Crump, caused an outcry from a crowd of several hundred in Chicago. The attorney asked federal officials to turn over that evidence for the family to review as part of their independent investigation.

The Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office conducted its own autopsy but has not yet released the results.

A second autopsy was organized by the family and Crump, and paid for by former NFL player Colin Kaepernick. It did not include a toxicology report.

“This is another piece of the puzzle, and while it tells us important information, we still have more questions than answers right now,” Crump said of the results.

The mysterious circumstances surrounding Wells' death have sparked speculation on the Internet and prompted calls for black leaders to come forward to local authorities. Wells, who was Black, had gone with a group of friends from high school, who were all white.

The $125,000 US prize – co-sponsored by civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, actor and producer Tyler Perry and former NFL player Terrell Owens – are now being offered for information leading to arrests and convictions in connection with the death.

The autopsy announcement comes two days after Wells was buried in his hometown of Ocean Springs, Miss.

In her eulogy, Sharpton lamented the “inconsistency and unanswered questions” that have cast a dark cloud over the grieving family.

He asked why Wells' friends left him behind, took his phone and keys and failed to report him missing. And he suggested that local investigators speak early in media statements indicating that no crime is suspected.

“The reason so many people across the country are looking at this Nolan case is because it's looking at Mississippi history,” Sharpton said. “We will not have a law that says there is no foul play before there is an investigation.”

Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said initial interviews suggested Wells chose to stay on the island and that his friends believed he was going to ride with someone else. He said the friends were cooperating with the investigation, which is still ongoing.

“We try to be as respectful and cooperative as we can,” said Crump. “But it always worries us all if this investigation goes on forever.”