Attorney Ben Crump has shared the preliminary results of the independent autopsy report as Warren Hudson, a teen who traveled to Horn Island with Nolan Xavier Wells, breaks his silence on what allegedly happened.
Ben Crump Shares Results Of Nolan Xavier Wells Independent Autopsy Report
On Wednesday, July 22, Ben Crump held a press conference at the 117th NAACP National Convention. This, to announce the preliminary findings of an independent autopsy conducted on the body of the late 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells. Per the group, the autopsy was conducted by Dr. Roger Mitchell, a pathologist with two decades of experience and the current president of the National Medical Association.
“Somebody knows something!” Ben Crump reiterated to the crowd, questioning why Wells’ body was found “face down” and “fully clothed” when he was without a shirt while on Horn Island.
Per Crump, the independent autopsy was conducted on July 19, after an initial separate autopsy. Furthermore, the cause and manner of death were listed as “undetermined pending investigation.” Additionally, the date of his death was reportedly listed as “unknown.”
Specifically, a preliminary finding identified a 12×8-inch “soft tissue” with red discoloration located at the back of Wells’ head.
“It’s significant, we saw pictures of it,” Crump told the crowd.
The “interior inner neck structures” of the “neck” were noted as “absent.” The “trachea” and other areas were reportedly “not received with the body” when it came in for the second autopsy.
“It is assumed that the initial pathologists retained these structures for additional evaluation. The retention… is common… He doesn’t know why they held the throat back, but he says the throat was not with the body of Nolan Wells when he received it in Washington DC to perform the second autopsy of the body,” Crump explained, noting that the review of the “neck” is “incomplete” and Dr. Mitchell would like to receive the throat to come to more conclusive findings.
Furthermore, the doctor reportedly noted that the findings of the report remain a bit unclear. This, because the body was not immediately received and had “marked decomposition.” Per Crump, “because the body was so decomposed, you couldn’t tell whether there were bruises or abrasions.” This, when the body was received for the independent autopsy.
“In addition, the additional toxicology results have not been received at the time of this report,” the doctor reportedly added.
Keep scrolling to see the update concerning Warren Hudson.
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Lastly, the doctor reportedly noted that death occurring in or around bodies of water with suspicion of drowning, “it is important to determine how the individual entered the water.” Furthermore, at the time of the report, the doctor noted that he did not know whether Wells was conscious or unconscious when he entered the water, and that information is “significant” to the case.
“It would be of utmost importance to be able to determine a cause and manner of death,” the report read, per Crump. “…For these reasons, this pathologist cannot rule out if any intervening non-accidental factors contributed to or caused the death of Nolan Wells.”
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The doctor reportedly noted that he cannot rule out foul play and questions the circumstances of how Wells entered the body of the water and how the body was found. Furthermore, it also remains unclear whether water was in Wells’ lungs, whether injuries were sustained to his throat, whether there was hemorrhaging to his brain, and what Wells’ stomach contents were.
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Ultimately, Crump explained that the doctor would likely need to examine further to reach more conclusive results.
“We’re calling for a fair, impartial, comprehensive investigation,” Crump reiterated. “…We want them to dot every i and cross every t…”
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Before the conference concluded, Christine Elmore took to the stage and explained that she and her husband were impacted by authorities so quickly, speculating that their son had drowned. This, not long after his body was recovered. So she and Elmore are doing everything they can to make sure they find out exactly what happened to their son.
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Warren Hudson: Teen Who Traveled To Horn Island With Nolan Xavier Wells Breaks Silence
Furthermore, on Tuesday, July 21, the New York Post published an exclusive report, asserting that Wells’ “self-proclaimed best friend,” Warren Hudson, sat down with the outlet. Hudson reportedly explained that the claims that he and his friend had something to do with Wells’ death are “hurtful.”
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“It’s a sick world we’re living in,” he stated. “It’s terrible. Nolan was my best friend. There’s no facts out, just a lot of rumors. That’s just how the internet is today. That’s really it, it’s horrible.”
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Meanwhile, Warren Hudson also sat down for a video interview with “conservative commentator Brandon Tatum,” per PEOPLE. In a clip labeled “part 1” of the sitdown, Hudson explained that he and his friends were very excited about spending the Fourth of July on Horn Island. Per Hudson, it was the “most popular day to be on the water.”
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Additionally, Hudson explained that “boatloads” of people would go out to the island on the Fourth, and he estimated that more than 1,000 people and “miles” of boats would be on the island’s shore.
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Additionally, Hudson recalled that his friend group “grew and grew” that day, with everyone “drinking and celebrating.” Furthermore, the teen noted that although Wells was allegedly consuming alcohol, he was “completely fine.” Nonetheless, Hudson also noted that he “talked to Nolan a couple times, but it wasn’t like [he] was strictly sitting there talking to Nolan the whole day.”
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To note, during part one of the sitdown, Hudson mostly focused on recalling Wells’ character and their friendship, noting that he never met the 18-year-old’s parents, but still felt they were very close. Per PEOPLE, during this portion, Hudson “did not discuss how Wells became separated from the group.”
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Watch part 1 of the sitdown below.
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Nolan Wells' Mom Reportedly Opens His Estate
According to TMZ, the press conference and Warren Hudson breaking his silence arrived amid action from Wells’ mom. On Monday, July 20, Christine Wonsley reportedly filed a petition “to open Nolan’s estate and appoint her as its administrator.” Furthermore, Christine reportedly noted that the estate’s assets would be “solely of claims for damages resulting from the circumstances surrounding his death.”
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Per the outlet, opening the estate would “give Christine the authority to file a lawsuit on behalf of Nolan’s estate if anyone is ultimately found legally responsible for his death.”
