A Jackson County grand jury on Monday released a report stating that there is no evidence to support criminal charges or a racially motivated motive in the death of Nolan Wells, an 18‑year‑old Black teen who was found dead after a Fourth of July trip with friends on Horn Island.
Grand jury findings
The grand jury, after reviewing witness testimony, physical and digital evidence, GPS and cellphone data, unanimously determined that the position, condition, time of discovery and location of Mr. Wells’ body are consistent with drowning. The report noted bruising on the back of his head but said it was not a fatal injury and the cause of the bruises remains uncertain.
Official statements
Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said in a video statement, “There is absolutely no evidence to support the allegations that Nolan’s death and disappearance were racially motivated.” She added that the narrative suggesting a racially charged incident “was false.”
Coroner Bruce Lynd confirmed that there were no immediate signs of trauma or foul play when the body was recovered on July 6. He requested a full autopsy by the state medical examiner, which was performed on July 7. A separate out‑of‑state autopsy requested by the family, completed on July 10, listed the manner of death as “undetermined pending further investigation.”
Family and civil‑rights response
Civil‑rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the Wells family, called the grand jury’s decision an attempt “to close the chapter on Nolan Wells’ death without getting to the truth.” He highlighted unexplained bruises and said the result leaves “more questions than answers.” Crump urged the district attorney’s office to release the full state autopsy report and keep the investigation open, stating, “Nolan’s family will not rest until we know what happened to him, and neither will we.”
Friends’ involvement
Three of Wells’ friends – Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo and Morgan Seymour – were part of a 30‑person boating party on Horn Island. Their attorneys provided a letter denying any involvement in Wells’ disappearance or death, emphasizing that the friends “loved Nolan and Nolan loved them.” Attorney Edward Paltzik praised the grand jury’s findings, calling the friends “terrific people” and “always completely innocent.”
Future considerations
The grand jury report notes that if new evidence emerges suggesting a non‑accidental death, it will be presented for further consideration. Mississippi law imposes no statute of limitations on homicide cases.
The case has sparked intense speculation in the community, given Mississippi’s history of racial tension. Residents and the Wells family continue to seek transparency and answers as the investigation proceeds.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
