CHICAGO — An independent autopsy commissioned by the family of Mississippi teenager Nolan Xavier Wells was unable to determine the cause or manner of his death, leaving key questions unresolved as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the 18-year-old's disappearance and death earlier this month.
The preliminary findings, released Wednesday by civil rights attorney Ben Crump during the NAACP national convention in Chicago, said forensic pathologist Dr. Roger Mitchell Jr. could not reach a definitive conclusion because of the condition of the body and limitations stemming from the earlier state autopsy. The report classified both the cause and manner of death as undetermined pending further investigation.
Wells disappeared on July 4 after traveling with friends to Horn Island, a barrier island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast. His body was recovered on July 6. Authorities have said the investigation remains active, while the official autopsy and toxicology findings from the Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office have not yet been released.
According to Mitchell's report, advanced decomposition and the inability to examine certain organs and tissues prevented a complete forensic assessment. Crump said the independent pathologist noted areas requiring further investigation, including red discoloration on the back of Wells' head, but found no fractures or significant deep tissue injuries. Mitchell also stated that he could not rule out whether non-accidental factors contributed to the death because of the incomplete information available.
Crump called for a thorough and transparent investigation, saying the preliminary findings did not establish how Wells died. The attorney has previously questioned the speed with which local authorities characterized the death as accidental and has urged investigators to continue examining all available evidence.
Jackson County authorities have said they continue to investigate the case. Officials have not announced any criminal charges and have not publicly identified evidence confirming foul play. The state medical examiner's final conclusions remain pending completion of laboratory testing, including toxicology analyses.
The case has drawn national attention, with Wells' family raising concerns about conflicting accounts from those who accompanied him to the island and seeking additional answers about the events leading to his death. Supporters, including civil rights advocates, have called for a comprehensive investigation while emphasizing that the official inquiry is ongoing.
As of Wednesday, investigators had not released the official autopsy findings, and the independent pathologist said additional information would be necessary before any definitive determination could be made regarding Wells' death.
