From Rolling Stone · Emily Zemler · · 50s
Grand Jury Drops Indictments in Nolan Wells Death Case
Jackson County grand jury finds no evidence of foul play in 18-year-old Nolan Wells' death.
In brief
Jackson County grand jury finds no evidence of foul play in 18-year-old Nolan Wells' death. Jackson County grand jury cleared Nolan Wells' death of racial motivation with no evidence of foul play. Originally reported by Rolling Stone.
Nolan Wells
18-year-old football player from Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
“A man places a photograph of Nolan Xavier Wells in front of the podium before a news conference during the 117th NAACP National Convention”
Disappearance
Wells disappeared on July 4 near Horn Island, Mississippi-Alabama border.
“Wells was with friends on Horn Island, a barrier island near the border of Mississippi and Alabama, when he disappeared on July 4”
Body Found
U.S. park ranger found Wells' body two days after disappearance.
“Two days later, a U.S. park ranger found his body on the island where he was last seen”
Autopsy Findings
First autopsy found bruising on head but no fatal injury.
“The first autopsy was conducted on July 7 by a state medical examiner in Mississippi. It found "there was bruising on the back of Mr. Wells' head, which was not a fatal injury" and found "no evidence of any fatal injury or organic disease"”
Grand Jury Decision
Jackson County grand jury unanimously decided against indictments.
“A grand jury investigating the death of Nolan Xavier Wells unanimously decided against making any indictments”
No Racial Motive
Grand jury found no evidence of racially motivated death.
“There is absolutely no evidence to support the allegations that Nolan's disappearance and death were racially motivated”
The short version
Jackson County grand jury cleared Nolan Wells' death of racial motivation with no evidence of foul play.
