Grand jury declines to charge anyone in Nolan Wells’ death, finds no evidence of foul play
Jurors found no credible evidence of criminal activity or racial motivation in the 18-year-old’s death, which both state and independent autopsies classified as undetermined.
A Jackson County grand jury returned a “no true bill” in relation to the death of Nolan Xavier Wells on July 4th weekend. The “no true bill” means the individuals who traveled with Wells to Horn Island have been cleared in relation to the case, and due to the evidence presented, no one will be charged in relation to Wells’ death.
After sorting through witness testimony, physical and digital evidence, as well as GPS data, cellphone records, videos and investigative reports, the jury concluded its investigation with no credible evidence that led them to believe Wells’ death was either criminal or racially motivated.
“The narrative that three white boys and a Black boy went to an island and only white friends returned spread like wildfire,” District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said in a video statement. “This was false.”
McIlrath concluded Wells went to Horn Island with a large group of friends and met with additional friends while there, adding there was “absolutely no evidence to support the allegations that Nolan’s death and disappearance was racially motivated.”
According to the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office, Wells’ death was ruled undetermined and inconclusive, the same result as an independent autopsy funded by Colin Kaepernick for the Wells’ family. Drowning, however, was not ruled out as a possible cause of death, according to the Medical Examiner. In its report, the grand jury stated it “finds that the position of, the condition of, time of discovery, and location of Mr. Wells’ body is consistent with drowning.”
Toxicology reports confirmed Wells did not have any drugs in his system, nor was there any evidence of a fatal injury or organic disease. Both autopsies determined there was bruising on the back of Wells’ head but deemed it to be non-fatal. A witness testified that Wells slipped and fell awkwardly on the boat, yet showed no signs of injury.
In Mississippi, there is no statute of limitations for homicide cases. If credible evidence is found later suggesting that Wells’ death wasn’t an accident, the grand jury report states that the matter would once again be presented to a Jackson County grand jury for further consideration.
Wells’ death became national news as a Mississippi community grappled with not only his death, but the firestorm of questions surrounding what happened to him. With the grand jury’s decision, Wells’ friends, family and his community that demanded accountability and justice regarding his death are left with even more questions and a lack of true answers.
The star athlete’s character was acknowledged by the grand jury as his mother, Christine Wonsley, yearned to hear her son for her birthday.
“The only thing I want for my birthday is to hug you and listen to your jokes. I just want you back with us. I miss you so much Nono it hurts,” Wonsley wrote on Facebook on Sunday (Sept. 20). “I’m trying my hardest to make the best of this day.”