A Mississippi grand jury has concluded its investigation into the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells. They found no evidence of criminal conduct, confirming that his death was consistent with drowning. Wells was a college football player who disappeared during a Fourth of July boating trip.
The Jackson County grand jury comprised 23 members, reached their decision after thorough deliberation. They heard testimonies from 43 witnesses and reviewed various types of evidence including physical and digital materials, police reports, interviews, videos, images, and maps. District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath shared the grand jury report on Monday.
Wells vanished on July 4 after a trip with friends to Horn Island, which lies off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. His body was located two days later in the waters near the island, following a collaborative search by multiple agencies.
The report indicated that the conditions surrounding Wells’ body were indicative of drowning. They found no credible evidence linking any person to a criminal act related to his death.
The report also addressed a bruise found on Wells’ head, clarifying it was not fatal. Investigators were unable to determine the cause of the injury. A witness recounted seeing Wells slip off a boat awkwardly around the time he was last noticed, but it was unclear if he hit his head, as he continued socializing afterward.
Other findings from the grand jury included that Wells had neither been involved in a physical altercation nor consumed alcohol provided by adults of legal drinking age. He reportedly used a fake ID to purchase alcohol, and the level of his intoxication was described as “heavy” according to a Mississippi Department of Marine Resources email.
Toxicology reports from decomposition fluids were unreliable, but they confirmed the absence of cocaine in Wells’s system. The report also mentioned Wells’ cellphone was taken back to the mainland without him, a practice not uncommon among visitors who might leave devices on boats.
Amid national attention and online speculation, the grand jury condemned the false and malicious public attacks against those involved in the trip. Wells’ family, having conducted their investigation, found no substantial evidence of criminal activity warranting further legal referral.
The case remains open for potential future investigations should credible evidence emerge. In Mississippi, homicide cases have no statute of limitations, meaning charges can be pursued if new information suggests non-accidental circumstances.
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