Judge Greg Mathis at Footage Films' "Run" Los Angeles Premiere held at the TCL Chinese Theatre on August 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images)
Judge Greg Mathis is sharing what he believes happened to Nolan Xavier Wells. He thinks the 18-year-old was killed, according to an interview with ‘The Art of Dialogue. But ultimately, he said, he’s said he’s aligned with prosecutors presenting the case to a grand jury. His comments on the case surfaced just a day before Ben Crump and Nolan’s family released the independent autopsy results.
One thing about Mathis, he doesn’t hold back! He kept that energy while speaking about Nolan Xavier Wells’ disappearance and death. During his interview, he stated that he doesn’t think the 18-year-old drowned.
“I believe he was killed, Mathis said. But Im a judge that has to weigh all the evidence. Preliminarily, thats what I see.”
For those who don’t know, Mathis isn’t just a TV judge! He’s retired from serving in Michigan’s 36th District Court in Detroit. He was also the youngest elected judge in Michigan’s history. So in his statements on ‘The Art of Dialogue’ he was clear about letting the legal process play out. Still, he suggested the people who Nolan Wells traveled to Horn Island with should’ve went back to give him his phone. That way, he’d have a way to secure transportation.
As previously reported, Nolan Wells’ parents ordered a second, independent autopsy of his body. It was conducted in Washington D.C., by chair of pathology at Howard University College of Medicine and reportedly sponsored by Colin Kaepernick.The findings were made public on Wednesday (July 22) by family attorney Ben Crump.
Dr. Mitchell noted that the interior parts of Nolan Xavier Wells’ neck, including the thyroid bone and trachea, weren’t sent from Mississippi with his body. Therefore, the examiner could not rule out a neck injury. Also, he stated he’d personally only remove those neck parts for an investigation if fractures were presented and needed further examination, per WKRG5.
Additionally, there was some red discoloration on the back of Nolan Wells’ head but cause remained undetermined. Dr. Mitchell couldn’t inspect the airway and lungs for water and see the stomach for contents or gastric gases. Not knowing the condition of the body when it was pulled from the water was also a hurdle. Ultimately, Mitchell said he needs more information, including photos, from the Mississippi medical examiner. For now, a cause of death has not been determined and the results remain “inconclusive.” It’s also unknown when Nolan Wells passed away.
As Judge Greg Mathis pointed out, a grand jury could soon be hearing the facts of the Nolan Wells investigation. Nolan’s family attorney announced during a press conference that Jackson County District Attorney Angel McIlrath was onboard with presenting the findings, per Mississippi Free Press. Amid the reveal of the preliminary autopsy results, Ben Crump says he hopes the Mississippi DA connects with Dr. Roger Mitchell to include the independent findings in the grand jury presentation, per WKRG5.
