Nolan Wells' independent autopsy says cause, manner of death 'undetermined pending investigation'

The official autopsy from the State Medical Examiner's office is not completed.

July 22, 2026, 9:53 AM

An independent autopsy preliminarily found that Mississippi teenager Nolan Wells' cause and manner of death are "undetermined pending investigation," family attorney Ben Crump announced Wednesday, as the investigation into the 18-year-old's death continues.

Wells' parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley, were desperate for answers and sent the teen's body to Washington, D.C., for the independent autopsy.

An undated photo of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells, whose body was believed to be recovered after going missing on July 4, 2026.
Courtesy of the Wells Family

Nolan Wells funeral: 'We will miss everything about him,' mom says as death investigation continues

The official autopsy report from the State Medical Examiner's office in Mississippi is still pending, according to Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd Jr. Once that report is complete, it will be provided to the local coroner.

"Losing a child, it truly breaks your heart," Christine Wonsley said at Wednesday’s news conference. "It is a pain that is, just, you can’t measure it. Especially someone like Nolan, who brought so much joy and light and life to everyone."

"The only question we have is, what happened to our son?" she said.

This undated photo provided by the family shows Nolan Xavier Wells with his mother, Christine Wonsley.
Family via AP

Wells went missing on the 4th of July after going on a boat trip with friends to Horn Island, according to authorities. It appears Wells stayed behind on the island after his friends left, officials said.

The college football player's body was recovered on July 6, and authorities said they suspect Wells drowned. Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said there was no initial indication of a crime, but he stressed that investigators are "working diligently to determine exactly what occurred."