The independent autopsy of Nolan Wells is sparking even more questions after the preliminary findings were released Wednesday — though the NAACP head conceded that the teen’s tragic death may have been an accident.
Wells’ parents had flown their 18-year-old son’s body over 800 miles to Washington, DC, for an independent autopsy following an initial post-mortem in Mississippi, where he was last seen alive during a Fourth of July trip to Horn Island with friends.
The college football player — who was found dead on July 6, two days after he vanished — had a 12-by-8-inch red discoloration to the back of his head, according to the autopsy performed by Dr. Roger Mitchell, President of the National Medical Association.
Attorney Ben Crump announcing the results of the preliminary autopsy of Nolan Wells alongside Wells’ parents, Elmore Wonsley and Christien Wells-Wonsley, at NAACP headquarters in Chicago on July 22, 2026.Getty Images
A diagram of Wells’ head from the independent autopsy.RAM Consulting LLC
The autopsy’s preliminary findings were released on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.RAM Consulting LLC
The red discoloration in the soft tissue of the back of Wells’ head could indicate head trauma — however, decomposition and a lack of associated injuries meant the findings were inconclusive, the report states.
Wells’ cause and manner of death were listed as undetermined pending investigation, with the date of death also unknown.
The doctor also highlighted seven unanswered questions in his autopsy report.
These include: what were the circumstances that led to Wells entering the water, what position was the body in when found, and was there any water in the airway, which would indicate drowning.
Famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump claimed that Wells’ body was found face down and fully clothed, despite photos from the day showing him shirtless, wearing swimming trunks.
Wells (second from right) vanished after a boating trip on the Fourth of July.Facebook/Christine Wonsley
The pathologist added that he still wants to know if there is any evidence of injuries to the front of the neck or throat, or evidence of a brain bleed.
Damage to the throat couldn’t be ruled out as a cause or contributory factor to Wells’ death, because it had been removed during the initial autopsy, Dr. Mitchell wrote.
Finally, the pathologist highlighted the need to discover the composition of Wells’ stomach contents and the toxicology report findings.
With the removal of the stomach as well as other organs before the second autopsy, examining Wells’ stomach contents was unable to be carried out, the doctor said.
Wells’ mother wiping away tears during the announcement of her son’s autopsy results.REUTERS
NAACP members participating in a prayer after the end of the press conference.AFP via Getty Images
Despite the unanswered questions, the NAACP conceded that it couldn’t rule out that Wells’ death may have been an accident.
“If it was truly an accident, then the families will have the necessary answers that any family deserves in this situation,” NAACP President Derrick Johnson said while kicking off the press conference.
Police have said nothing points to foul play, at least yet, and they suspect Wells likely drowned after his friends left the island without him.
Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, speaks during the press conference.REUTERS
Dr. Michael Baden, former Chief Medical Examiner of New York City, told The Post after reviewing Wells’ preliminary autopsy results that “there’s nothing dependent on foul play,” but added that investigators are still awaiting crucial details from a toxicology report.
The teen’s body was positively identified on July 7 using dental records.
Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd Jr. told The Post at the time that results from the official post-mortem could take weeks while they await the findings from toxicology tests.
A photograph of Wells on display at his funeral at Center Pointe Church in Ocean Springs, Miss. on July 20, 2026.Christopher Oquendo for NY Post
Wells had been drinking alcohol on the day he disappeared but seemed “completely fine,” his self-described “best friend” claimed.
“Everybody’s drinking, you know?” Warren Hudson told conservative YouTuber Brandon Tatum. “I mean, it’s Fourth of July, everyone’s just trying to enjoy themselves and, you know, it’s a big party, basically.”
“I talked to Nolan, and you know, Nolan was drinking. Everybody was drinking, most of everybody, and, I mean, Nolan seemed completely fine every time I talked to him,” he explained.
Wells was laid to rest in a closed casket Monday at a packed hometown funeral exactly two weeks after his body was found in the water just off the barrier island.
“We will miss everything about him and his quiet nature, the corny jokes, his gentle smile and the way he made everyone around feel loved, comfortable and at ease,” Christine Wonsley told mourners through tears.
