A grand jury in Mississippi has concluded that there is not enough evidence to charge anyone criminally in the case of Nolan Wells’ death. The Jackson County District Attorney’s office shared the decision late on Monday.
After examining evidence and testimonies, the grand jury returned a ‘no true bill’. The jury issued 132 subpoenas and heard from 43 witnesses during the process. Their report indicated that the condition and location of Wells’ body were consistent with drowning.
An independent autopsy had earlier stated that the cause and manner of Wells’ death were undetermined, pending further inquiry. Authorities had also suspected drowning as the cause. The report noted bruising on Wells’ head but clarified the injury was not life-threatening. There was no evidence of fatal injuries or organic diseases found on his body.
The report also confirmed that Wells did not have cocaine in his system at the time of death and found no evidence of his cocaine use. District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath commented on the impact of Wells’ death on the community, denying any racial motivation behind his disappearance and death.
The grand jury’s decision followed months of investigation into the circumstances surrounding Wells’ disappearance. At age 18, Wells had traveled to Horn Island with friends on July 4 to celebrate Independence Day. The island is located about 10 miles from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He was last observed on the island at approximately 3 p.m., after which he did not return with others to the mainland.
The investigation revealed that Wells chose to stay on Horn Island when three boats, the Triton, the Palm Beach, and the Tideline, left the island. Several individuals remained on the island to continue socializing. No credible evidence suggested any criminal activity by those who traveled to or from the island that day.
An extensive search involving multiple agencies, the Coast Guard, first responders, and the United Cajun Navy was conducted. Wells’ body was found by a U.S. park ranger on the northwestern tip of Horn Island on July 6.
The Wells family had expressed doubt about the events leading to his disappearance and death. They retained attorney Ben Crump, who emphasized the family’s need for answers and truth. Crump urged for a thorough and transparent investigation.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office sought evidence, including videos and pictures from Horn Island, to identify any potential altercations. While social media depicted several people and boats present, no disputes were confirmed by authorities at that time. Sheriff John Ledbetter acknowledged awareness of the video evidence and the ongoing investigation.
Newsweek contacted attorney Ben Crump for further comments.