The Wells Family Says The Official Autopsy Found No Water In His Lungs, Airways, Throat Or Stomach As Questions About His Death Continue
Newly released autopsy findings are raising additional questions about the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, days after a Mississippi grand jury declined to bring criminal charges in the case.
Attorney Ben Crump and members of the Wells family’s legal team shared details Thursday from the official autopsy conducted by the Mississippi State Medical Examiner. Attorney Liza Park said the report found no fluid or debris in Wells’ airways and no water in his stomach, lungs or throat.
“There’s no water in the stomach. There’s no water in the lungs. And there’s no water in the throat,” Park said during a Sept. 24 press conference.
The family’s attorneys highlighted those findings while questioning how they fit with the grand jury report, which characterized Wells’ death as an accidental drowning.
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“This is their own medical examiner’s report,” Park said.
Family Points To Autopsy Findings
Park said the official autopsy is about three pages long and is considerably shorter than an independent autopsy commissioned by Wells’ family.
She also referenced findings involving possible injuries to Wells’ head and neck before discussing the lack of fluid or debris in his airways.
The newly disclosed information comes after a Jackson County grand jury returned a “no true bill,” finding no credible evidence of criminal activity or racial motivation connected to Wells’ death.
Jurors reviewed witness testimony, physical and digital evidence, GPS information, cellphone records, videos and investigative reports before reaching their decision.
Toxicology testing also found no drugs in Wells’ system, while investigators reported no evidence of a fatal injury or organic disease.
Digital Examination Finds Deleted Data
The Wells family’s legal team also released new information from an independent forensic examination of Wells’ cellphone.
Digital forensic investigator Andrew Garrett said investigators recovered more than 1 million digital artifacts, including Snapchat and Instagram information, GPS data, phone records and Apple Health information.
“I can’t talk to intent,” Garrett said. “But I can tell you from a digital standpoint, things were deleted.”
The finding does not establish who deleted the information, when it was deleted or why.
“We don’t know what happened to Nolan Wells,” Crump said. “If you know anything, come forward.”
Wells Disappeared During July 4 Trip
Wells disappeared July 4 while visiting Horn Island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast with a group of high school friends.
His death has drawn national attention as his parents and attorneys continue seeking more information about what happened before he died.
The latest disclosures follow both the grand jury decision and the release of findings from an independent autopsy commissioned by Wells’ family.
Despite the grand jury’s decision not to indict anyone, Wells’ family says questions remain about the circumstances surrounding his death and is continuing its effort to determine what happened.
