The family of 18-year-old Nolan Wells is urging a federal investigation after a Jackson County grand jury found no credible evidence to support criminal charges in his July death. Both family-commissioned and state autopsies labeled the cause and manner of death "undetermined," though the state noted two nonfatal subcutaneous scalp contusions. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, Stop AAPI Hate and members of Congress have called on federal agencies to reopen the case amid conflicting accounts.
Family Calls for Federal Probe After Grand Jury Declines Charges in Nolan Wells' Death
Jackson County Sheriff's Department - PHOTO: The Jackson County Sheriff's Department released this photo during the search for Nolan Xavier Wells, 18, in Mississippi.
The family of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells is urging federal authorities to reopen the investigation into his July death after a Jackson County grand jury last month concluded there was no basis for criminal charges.
Family Response and Calls for Federal Review
At a Monday press conference, Nolan's mother, Christine Wonsley, said the family has been left with conflicting accounts and unanswered questions.
"What we were left with were many, many inconsistent stories,"she told reporters, adding,
"I cannot take that ruling, and I cannot move on with my life. We have been left with more questions and heartbreak than any answers."
Investigation, Autopsies and Grand Jury Finding
Wells' body was recovered on July 6 after he went missing on July 4 following a boating trip to Horn Island, Mississippi. Local officials initially suspected drowning, and a 23-member Jackson County grand jury reviewed the evidence before releasing a report on Sept. 21.
The grand jury found "no credible evidence to support the public allegations" that anyone traveling to or from the island the day Wells disappeared "engaged in any criminal conduct related to" his death. The report also stated that the "position of, condition of, time of discovery, and location" of the body were consistent with drowning.
Both a private autopsy commissioned by the family and the official state autopsy concluded the cause and manner of death were undetermined. The state report noted two dark red-purple subcutaneous scalp contusions on the back of Wells' head but said they were not fatal; it also reported "no external scalp injuries" and "no fractures" of the skull. The state autopsy did not determine how the contusions occurred.
Federal Agencies and Community Leaders Join Call
The family, joined by civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Cynthia Choi, executive director of Stop AAPI Hate, urged the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Justice to open a federal investigation. Crump also shared a letter from U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson asking the National Park Service (which oversees Horn Island) to review the case.
The Congressional Black Caucus previously urged the DOJ to conduct an "independent federal review." Representatives for the FBI, DOJ and NPS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Prosecutor's Statement
Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath, who convened the grand jury, said she reviewed the investigation and expressed confidence in the jurors' diligence and decision. "I know the work that was done in this investigation... and I am confident in their decision and the process by which they reached it," she said in a statement.
The family has said they will continue seeking answers and are requesting a full federal review to address what they describe as conflicting stories and remaining questions surrounding Nolan Wells' death.
Reporting contributions to the original coverage were made by Emily Shapiro and Sabina Ghebremedhin of ABC News.
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