Crime & Justice

Private autopsy leaves Nolan Wells death undetermined; NAACP accuses officials of failures

Reality Check with Ross Coulthart · Mystery remains on Nolan Wells' death after private autopsy · July 23, 2026

Reality Check with Ross Coulthart

Mystery remains on Nolan Wells' death after private autopsy

">> The narrative should not be it was an accident before there was an investigation. The narrative should not be the words of individuals who went on a boat to the island with him, but they came without him, but with his cell phone. And you don't investigate those individuals."

NewsNation’s Ross Coulthart reports that a privately commissioned autopsy into the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells did not determine a cause or manner of death, according to civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Wells’ family. Crump said the pathologist noted “red discoloration” at the back of Wells’ head but lacked internal neck structures that he said were not provided by the Mississippi Medical Examiner’s office, limiting the examination. NAACP president Derrick Johnson criticised Mississippi and local officials, arguing authorities should not presume an accident and alleging investigators have not properly examined the accounts of those who travelled with Wells to Horn Island.

About this episode

Ross Coulthart reports on the unresolved death of Nolan Wells, 18, after a privately commissioned autopsy reportedly returned an “undetermined” cause and manner of death, as relayed on-air by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who says he is now representing Wells’ family. According to Coulthart’s account of Crump’s briefing, the private pathologist did not rule out an accident or foul play, and noted red discolouration at the back of Wells’ head. Crump also said the pathologist did not receive internal neck structures from the Mississippi Medical Examiner’s office, which he argued could be relevant to determining whether foul play occurred.

The segment includes criticism from NAACP president Derrick Johnson, who argues authorities should not settle on an “accident” narrative before completing an investigation. Johnson alleges investigators have not properly examined the accounts of people who travelled by boat with Wells to Horn Island and returned without him.

Coulthart then summarises publicly stated facts cited to local officials and other sources: Wells travelled with friends to Horn Island on 4 July and was last seen alive on the island at about 3:00 p.m. He did not return with the group, was reported missing that night, and a search began on 6 July. A US park ranger found Wells’ body at the island’s tip. Local officials have said there were no obvious signs of foul play or trauma, while an official autopsy was performed on 7 July; toxicology is pending. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says the inquiry remains active and includes FBI work on digital evidence, and is asking the public for any photos or information from the area that day.

Key takeaways

Ben Crump says a private autopsy left Nolan Wells’ cause and manner of death “undetermined pending investigation”.
Crump says the private pathologist noted red discolouration at the back of Wells’ head but could not assess internal neck structures he says were not provided.
NAACP president Derrick Johnson argues officials should not treat the death as an accident before a full investigation is completed.
Coulthart reports that Wells went to Horn Island with friends on 4 July and was last seen alive on the island around 3:00 p.m.
Wells was reported missing on the night of 4 July; a search began on 6 July and his body was found by a US park ranger.
Officials have not released an official cause or manner of death; toxicology results are pending.
The Jackson County Sheriff says the investigation is ongoing, with FBI assistance on digital evidence, and requests public tips and photos.