A Mississippi grand jury determined there was no evidence of criminal conduct in the death of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old college football player, whose body was discovered under circumstances consistent with drowning. The report followed his disappearance during a Fourth of July boating trip.
The 23-member Jackson County grand jury, after reviewing testimonies from 43 witnesses and examining physical and digital evidence, concluded no criminal charges were warranted. This process included assessing police reports, interviews, videos, images, and maps, as stated in the report by District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath.
Wells vanished on July 4 after setting out with friends to Horn Island, located off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. His body was retrieved two days later in the surrounding waters after a search involving multiple agencies.
According to the report, the circumstances of Wells’ body were in line with a drowning scenario, and no credible evidence suggested that a crime was committed during his trip to or from the island. The grand jury noted bruising on Wells’ head but concluded it was not a fatal injury. They found no evidence of organic disease or a fatal injury, although the cause of the bruise remains unknown.
“One witness noted seeing Wells slip awkwardly off the side of a boat near the last sighting of him. However, the witness could not confirm if Wells struck his head during the fall. They mentioned Wells continued socializing afterward without appearing injured.”
The report added that Wells was not involved in any altercation or argument on the day of his disappearance.
A civil rights attorney, representing Wells’ family, previously announced a private autopsy had listed Wells’ cause of death as “undetermined pending investigation.” During a news conference, an examination highlighted a “red discoloration” on Wells’ head, though no cause or manner of death was established.
There were questions regarding Wells’ alcohol consumption. An email from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Marine Patrol noted Wells’ “heavy” alcohol intake during the search, though the source of this information was not identified.
The grand jury found that Wells acquired alcohol using a fake ID and that no legal adults provided him with alcohol on the island. Toxicology results were inconclusive due to decomposition, and there was no evidence of cocaine use.
The report also mentioned Wells’ cellphone, which had returned to the mainland without him. It was not uncommon for visitors to leave personal items on boats or return on different boats while at Horn Island.
Nolan Wells’ case garnered national attention, with online speculations targeting individuals involved in the trip and their acquaintances. The grand jury labeled public accusations as “malicious” and “without factual or evidential basis.”
Wells’ family received a chance to present evidence from their private investigation. The family’s attorneys did not find any evidence that indicated potential criminal activity warranting referral.
While the case could be reconsidered if new evidence emerges, Mississippi law places no time limit on homicide cases. The report emphasized that any credible future evidence suggesting Wells’ death was non-accidental should lead to a reevaluation by the Jackson County Grand Jury.