Nolan Wells' Family Demands Federal Inquiry into Mississippi Teen's Death
Following a state grand jury's decision not to indict anyone in the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, his family and civil rights attorney Ben Crump are urging federal authorities to investigate. Citing an independent autopsy that found unexplained head injuries, the family maintains that key questions remain unanswered.
The family of 18-year-old college student Nolan Wells has renewed calls for a federal investigation into his death after a Mississippi grand jury declined to return criminal indictments in the case, according to reporting by Atlanta Black Star. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump joined Wells' parents, Christine Wells-Wonsley and Elmore Wonsley, along with advocates from the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, at a press conference in Inglewood, California, on Monday to request direct intervention by federal law enforcement agencies.
Wells, an Ocean Springs, Mississippi resident, vanished during a Fourth of July boating trip to Horn Island. Authorities located his body two days later on federal land, but official investigators have not officially determined how the young man died or formally classified his manner of death. Following the state grand jury's decision not to pursue criminal charges, the family's legal team maintained that critical details surrounding his disappearance remain unresolved by local and state authorities.
According to the family and their legal representatives, an independent autopsy conducted by Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr. revealed unexplained blunt-force injuries located on the back of Wells' head. Additionally, the private examination revealed that no water was present in Wells' lungs or stomach. Wells' mother, Christine Wells-Wonsley, publicly rejected claims of dry drowning during the press conference, questioning the physical evidence supporting such assertions and emphasizing that the family and community cannot accept the state's initial findings.
Support for a federal inquiry has gained momentum among federal lawmakers, according to Atlanta Black Star. Representative Frederica Wilson of Florida dispatched a formal letter to Jessica Bowron, acting Director of the National Park Service, requesting that the agency's Investigative Services Branch examine every circumstance surrounding Wells' death. Furthermore, attorney Ben Crump stated that California Representative Maxine Waters and the Congressional Black Caucus are backing the demand for federal oversight, following earlier requests submitted to federal authorities in August.
Wells' father, Elmore Wonsley, emphasized at the press conference that because his son was located on federal land, the Federal Bureau of Investigation should conduct a thorough review to determine the truth. Meanwhile, the United Cajun Navy has publicly disputed claims of foul play, maintaining on social media that their assessment points to accidental drowning and alleging there was no blunt force trauma beyond light bruising. Despite pushback from the organization, the family and their legal counsel continue to press the Department of Justice and the FBI for a comprehensive federal review.