Attorney Ben Crump skewered a Mississippi grand jury finding ‘no evidence’ of racial or criminal wrongdoing in the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, saying unanswered questions remain about how the Black Mississippi teen died.
“The State of Mississippi is attempting to close the chapter on Nolan Wells’ death without getting to the truth,” Crump, who represents Wells’ family, said in a statement.
Wells disappeared on Horn Island, Mississippi, after traveling there for a Fourth of July celebration with three White friends. His body was found two days later by a park ranger. News about Wells’ disappearance went viral on social media, with users speculating that there was a racial motive behind his death since he was with mostly White friends.
In a video statement posted late Monday night on her Facebook, McIlrath said, “There is absolutely no evidence to support the allegation that Nolan’s disappearance and death were racially motivated.”
The grand jury found that “the position of, the condition of, time of discovery, and location of Mr. Wells’ body is consistent with drowning.”
But both the state medical examiner and an independent forensic pathologist hired by Wells’ family determined that the cause and manner of his death were undetermined. The independent autopsy also documented recent blunt-force injuries to Wells’ head and back.
“The cause of those injuries and their contribution to Nolan’s death remain unexplained,” Crump’s legal team said.
Crump and Wells’ family are calling for the investigation to remain open and for additional records to be released.
“This grand jury result leaves us with more questions than answers,” Crump said.
Crump is scheduled to hold a news conference at noon ET Tuesday to discuss the case.
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