Nolan Wells Death: Grand Jury Finds No Criminal Charges

A Mississippi grand jury concluded there is insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges in the death of Nolan Wells, the 18-year-old found dead after a July 4 boat outing. The Jackson County panel ruled unanimously that the circumstances and conditions of Wells' body were "consistent with drowning," according to its report.

The ruling follows a months-long investigation into Wells' disappearance on July 4 and discovery two days later. Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath stated in a social media video that no credible evidence supports allegations of criminal wrongdoing by those who traveled with Wells to Horn Island off the Mississippi coast, or that his death was racially motivated.

Benjamin Crump, the Wells family's attorney, questioned the findings. At a news conference Tuesday, Crump said, "The Nolan family offers three other words -- ‘We’ll never stop.’" He added the family will continue seeking the truth.

The grand jury reviewed autopsy reports from Mississippi's chief medical examiner and a forensic pathologist hired by the family. Both found the cause and manner of death undetermined, with drowning listed as a "diagnosis of exclusion." The report noted bruising on Wells' neck, but deemed it not a fatal injury and its cause uncertain. Wells did not have cocaine in his system, but evidence showed he used a fake ID to buy alcohol. The grand jury concluded its investigation Friday, Sept. 18.

Wells, a former football player at Ocean Springs High School and wide receiver at Southwest Mississippi Community College, was on Horn Island with 23 people. The grand jury's report stated any evidence suggesting Wells' death was not an accident should be referred to the grand jury, as Mississippi has no statute of limitations for homicide cases.