Teen vanishes after Fourth of July

Nolan Wells, eighteen, disappeared after celebrating the Fourth of July with friends on barrier islands off the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. His body was recovered in waters off Horn Island two days later.

Grand jury finds no criminal charges warranted

A Jackson County grand jury unanimously found insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges in Wells' death. The jury heard from forty-three witnesses and reviewed physical evidence, autopsies, digital evidence and police reports.

Grand jury concludes drowning

The grand jury report said the position, condition, time of discovery and location of Wells' body off the Mississippi coast is consistent with drowning. The report found no credible evidence of criminal conduct by his friends.

Family disputes the drowning conclusion

Wells' mother Christine Wonsley questioned how the jury concluded drowning when both medical examiners found his cause and manner of death undetermined. An independent autopsy found unexplained blunt force injuries to his head and back.

“Please remember that both medical examiners, as well as his death certificates, states that the cause and manner of his death is undetermined. So, my question is: How can a jury come to the conclusion of drowning, despite knowing that there was trauma to his body?”

Grand jury addresses the injuries

The grand jury report found bruising on the back of Wells' head was not a fatal injury and it was unclear how he got it. One witness testified Wells slipped awkwardly off a boat but did not appear injured afterward.

Family vows to pursue civil case

Wells' family and attorneys said they will not give up on finding justice and will have the opportunity to reopen the investigation in a civil case. Mississippi has no statute of limitations on homicide cases.

“He deserved to be at school right now. We should be getting text messages and phone calls. But most importantly, Nolan deserved to live.”

Door left open for future charges

The grand jury report stated that if credible evidence comes to light in the future suggesting Wells' death was non-accidental, the matter should be presented to the Jackson County Grand Jury for further consideration.

“If credible evidence comes to light in the future that suggests Mr. Wells' death was non-accidental, this matter should be represented to the Jackson County Grand Jury for further consideration.”