# Nolan Wells' death cause undetermined

> State autopsy finds Nolan Wells' cause and manner of death undetermined.
- Title: Nolan Wells' death cause undetermined · ABC7 New York
- Summary: State autopsy finds Nolan Wells' cause and manner of death undetermined. Mississippi state autopsy report states Nolan Wells' cause and manner of death are…
- Keywords: nolan wells, mississippi state medical examiner, autopsy report, undetermined cause, horn island, drowning, college football player, news, local, Nolan, Wells', death
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/story/nolan-wells-cause-manner-death-undetermined-state-autopsy-report-finds/19866954
- Published: 2026-09-24T19:45:37+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nolan wells, mississippi state medical examiner, autopsy report, undetermined cause, horn island, drowning, college football player, news, local
## Nolan Wells' death cause undetermined
State autopsy report finds Nolan Wells' cause and manner of death are 'undetermined' after he died on a July 4 boat trip with friends.

> Nolan Wells' cause and manner of death 'undetermined,' state autopsy report finds
## Autopsy details
The report found evidence of two dark red-purple subcutaneous scalp contusions on Wells' head but no external injuries or skull fractures.

> evidence of injury to the back on wells head that is described as two dark red purple subcutaneous scalp contusions
## Family's perspective
Wells' mother Christine Wonsley said losing her son broke her heart and the only question is what happened to him.

> Losing a child, it truly breaks your heart ... especially someone like Nolan, who brought so much joy and light and life to everyone
## Investigation status
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said no initial crime indication but investigators are working to determine exactly what occurred.

> there was no initial indication of a crime, but he stressed that investigators were working diligently to determine exactly what occurred
## Autopsy conclusions
The state report matches the family's private autopsy that preliminarily ruled cause and manner of death as 'undetermined pending investigation'.

> the independent pathologist acknowledged multiple limitations in the report
## Key takeaway

Mississippi state autopsy report states Nolan Wells' cause and manner of death are undetermined due to unknown circumstances.