Business

Nolan Wells: Why did the jury find no crime?

By Sohail Khan 22 September 2026, 7:25 pm

Benchmarks
Nifty23,329.00-85.3

FEATURED FUNDS★★★★★

Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct-Growth

5Y Return
21.38 %

Invest Now

Enter search text:

Business News›News›International›Global Trends›Nolan Wells death update: Why did grand jury find no foul play after 18-year-old after Mississippi teen died following trip to Horn Island?

Read Today's Paper

Nolan Wells death update: Why did grand jury find no foul play after 18-year-old died following trip to Horn Island?
Synopsis

A grand jury has concluded that there will be no criminal charges related to the Nolan Wells' death. Their findings pointed to drowning as the cause, aligning with the evidence and location of his remains. There was also no evidence to support “public allegations” that anybody who rode to or from Horn Island was responsible or engaged in any criminal conduct leading to the teen’s tragic death, the grand jury found.

Nolan Wells death case: Mississippi grand jury declines to indict anyone; black teen's cause of death remains undetermined — The family’s independent autopsy by Dr. Roger Mitchell faced difficulties because Wells’ throat was missing after the official autopsy

The death of Nolan Wells has taken a new turn after a grand jury said it will not bring criminal charges against anyone in the death of a Mississippi teenager. Nolan Wells was found dead two days after a boating trip with friends on 4 July. The judgement of the jury was announced after reviewing the official autopsy and other evidence in the highly publicized case that has sent shockwaves in the United States.

The Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office could not determine how the 18-year-old died or what caused his death. His body was found two days after he disappeared during a July 4 boat trip to Horn Island with friends. An independent autopsy hired by his family also could not determine the cause or manner of death. “The Grand Jury finds that the position of, the condition of, time of discovery, and location of Mr. Wells’ body is consistent with drowning,” according to the grand jury report filed Friday in Jackson County.

The 23 grand jurors who met last week also found no evidence that a crime resulted in Wells’ death. The jury's decision comes after months of intense speculation about how the 18-year-old disappeared from a bustling party and why the friends who ferried Wells to the island left without him.

Why did the jury find no evidence in Nolan Wells' death?

The findings come after the jury was provided a slew of evidence, including sworn testimony from the forensic pathologist who Wells’ family hired to do an independent autopsy, a forensic examination of Wells’ cellular phone, and other materials from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office’s death investigation.

The family’s independent autopsy by Dr. Roger Mitchell faced difficulties because Wells’ throat was missing after the official autopsy. However, Dr. Mitchell was given full access to examine the internal structures of the teen’s neck during the grand jury investigation. “There was bruising on the back of Mr. Wells’ head which was not a fatal injury. Further, the Grand Jury found no evidence of any fatal injury or organic disease to Mr. Wells’ body,” the reports said, as per New York Post.

ALSO READ: Ontario couple bought a C$200 painting at a yard sale in 2001, 6 years later, it was revealed as an E J Hughes' artwork Lake Okanagan worth C$402,500

A witness testified under oath that he saw Nolan Wells slip “awkwardly” off the side of a boat around 3:30 p.m. on July 4. The witness couldn’t definitely say whether the college student struck his head during the fall. Wells continued to socialize after slipping and did not appear injured, the witness added.

“While the Grand Jury found no other evidence to explain the bruising to the back of Mr. Wells’ head, or suspected bruising on his buttocks and shoulder, the Grand Jury cannot say without absolute certainty that this fall caused this bruising,” the report said.

What happened to Nolan Wells?

Nolan Wells died after traveling to Horn Island, 10 miles off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast — with a group of pals on July 4. The college football athlete’s friends took their boat back to the mainland after running into a mechanical issue, but Wells stayed behind.

Nolan Wells update: Horn Island’s 6 year drowning record raises questions as family searches for answers

His body was discovered on July 6 in the water off the island. Nolan Wells also purchased alcohol with a fake ID leading up to his death, and no other people over the legal drinking age gave him or his friends any booze on July 4. There was no evidence he took cocaine, the report revealed.

There was also no evidence to support “public allegations” that anybody who rode to or from Horn Island was responsible or engaged in any criminal conduct leading to the teen’s tragic death, the grand jury found.

“There is absolutely no evidence to support the allegations that Nolan’s death and disappearance were racially motivated,” District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said in a video statement released Monday.

“The death of Nolan Wells has devastated our community. Outsiders and influencers have attempted to exploit Nolan’s death to divide and create chaos here. But we are better together,” McIlrath said.

“Nolan’s friends loved Nolan and Nolan loved them,” the district attorney said. “Nolan chose to stay on the island that day and there is not a scintilla of evidence to contradict that.”

Wells’ parents and their lawyers voiced suspicions after Wells’ friends left the island without him, saying he wanted to stay behind and talk to a girl. Wells’ phone was on the boat that took him to the island, which was later towed partway back to the mainland after taking on water.

Crump and Wells’ parents have cast doubt on why a teenager would choose to stay on an island without his phone. They also speculated that messages on his phone were tampered with and alleged his friends were reluctant to turn over his keys. Lawyers for Wells’ friends said the friends are cooperating with authorities.

The report concluded with the panel expressing sympathy for Wells’ family. “The evidence received in this matter convinced the Grand Jury of Mr. Wells’ outstanding character,” it said.

(With AP inputs)

Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
Add Now!

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

Read More News on
Nolan WellsNolan Wells deathNolan Wells caseNolan Wells grand juryNolan Wells autopsyNolan Wells cause of deathNolan Wells disappearanceHorn IslandMississippi teen deathJackson County grand jury

Enter search text:

Continue reading with one of these options:
Limited Access
Free
Login to get access to some exclusive stories

& personalised newsletters
Login Now

Unlimited Access
Starting @ Rs120/month
Get access to exclusive stories, expert opinions &

in-depth stock reports
Subscribe Now

Unlock Access to All Exclusives with ETPrime FREE TRIAL

15 Days Free: Unlock All ETPrime Exclusives, Market Tools & ePapers

Trial offer expiring in00 : 05 : 00

I'd rather pay ₹2599 now

Uh-oh! This is an exclusive story available for selected readers only.

Worry not. You’re just a step away.

Prime Account Detected!

It seems like you're already an ETPrime member with

Log out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.

Unlock ETPrime's Exclusive Stories Today!

Subscribe to gain powerful insights on business, stock market and industry trends.

Big Price Drop! Flat 40% Off

Student Only Offer

Already a Member? Sign In now

Already a Member? Sign In now
Already a Member? Sign In now

Offer Exclusively For You

Save up to Rs. 700/-

ON ET PRIME MEMBERSHIP

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get Flat 40% Off

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

ET Prime at ₹ 49 for 1 month

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Special Offer

Get flat 40% off on ETPrime

Avail Offer
Avail Offer

Claim NowAlready a Member? Sign In now

Need Assistance?

Connect with an ETPrime expert for personalized support and guidance

+91 9484700004

' + h3 + '

' + h4 + '

' + listing + '

What’s Included with

ETPrime Membership

1Exclusive Insights That Matter

Uncover the truth with our investigative stories

Make strategic moves using the real-world case studies

Read industry-specific stories to identify emerging trends

Spot opportunities with in-depth insights that matter

Trump temper on H-1B visas is forcing Indians to do these things to stay put in US

What Adani’s US indictment means for India Inc’s overseas fundraising
Why veterans like Reliance, L&T are on acquisition spree? Aswath Damodaran has an answer.

Will China’s dollar bond sale in Saudi Arabia trump the US in financial world?
Huawei launches its own OS to compete with Google and Apple. But can it win beyond China?

The problem with lab grown diamonds
Why a falling rupee is a better option for the economy

A list of top 20 momentum stocks that have delivered massive returns in one year