SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
The independent autopsy of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells has raised new questions after a forensic pathologist revealed that critical body structures were already missing before he began his examination, preventing him from reaching a definitive conclusion about how the Mississippi college student died.
Wells disappeared after a July 4 boating trip to Horn Island and was found dead two days later. During a July 22 news conference at the 117th NAACP National Convention, nationally known civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Wells’ parents released preliminary findings from an independent autopsy conducted by board-certified forensic pathologist Dr. Roger Mitchell.
Mitchell ruled Wells’ cause and manner of death as “undetermined pending investigation,” citing significant limitations in the evidence available for review.
Among the most troubling discoveries, Mitchell reported that the anterior neck structures—including the trachea, larynx, thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone—were not present when Wells’ body arrived for the independent examination in Washington, D.C. Those tissues are critical in determining whether a person suffered compression, strangulation or other neck trauma.
Crump explained that retaining those structures for additional forensic analysis can be standard practice, but said Mitchell could not complete a full evaluation without access to them.
Mitchell also noted that Wells’ body had undergone significant decomposition before the second autopsy. In addition, the brain and internal organs had already been removed, examined and replaced during the original Mississippi autopsy, limiting his ability to inspect the lungs, airway and stomach for evidence that could help determine whether drowning or another factor contributed to Wells’ death.
Despite those limitations, Mitchell performed additional dissections of the head, neck, face, ribs, pelvis, arms and legs that were not completed during the original examination. He found no fractures or deep tissue injuries but did identify a 12-by-8-inch area of unusual red discoloration in the deep tissue at the back of Wells’ head near the occipital bone. While no skull fractures or external wounds accompanied the finding, Mitchell described it as significant enough to warrant further investigation.
Crump said the family remains committed to uncovering the truth surrounding Wells’ death. A $125,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible, with contributions from NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens, filmmaker Tyler Perry, and civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton.
Authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding Wells’ death as the family awaits additional forensic findings.