A man places a photograph of Nolan Xavier Wells in front of the podium before a news conference during the 117th NAACP National Convention at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, on July 22, 2026. Civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump unveiled the preliminary findings of an independent autopsy conducted on behalf of the Wells family. Wells, an 18-year-old Mississippi college student, was found dead after a boat trip with friends on July 4. (Photo by Octavio Jones / AFP via Getty Images)
It’s been less than 24 hours since we learned the grand jury findings in the case of Nolan Wells‘ death. Ultimately, the jury found insufficient evidence to support any criminal wrongdoing charges. Nolan’s family lawyers addressed the decision in a statement and later in a press conference. His mother, Christine Wonsley, stated that she’s not convinced he died by accidental wrongdoing. Meanwhile, social media users
District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath announced the no-charges decision on Sept. 21. The grand jury in Jackson County, Mississippi, found no evidence of criminal conduct. Furthermore, the report cited that the Mississippi medical examiner’s office and an independent forensic pathologist left the cause and manner of death as undetermined. Additionally, the report shut down public assumptions that Nolan Wellswas the only Black person on Horn Island on July 4.
“If credible evidence comes to light in the future that suggests Mr. Wells’ death was non-accidental, this matter should be represented to the Jackson County Grand Jury for further consideration,” the grand jury’s report stated.
Following the grand jury’s findings, supporters of Nolan Wells’ family took to the internet with strong opinions. There’s been plenty of demands for justice and recalls of Mississippi’s history with racism against and lynchings of Black people. It appears the public in large part is not settled by the jury’s findings, with some pointing fingers at the “friends” who traveled with Nolan to Horn Island on July 4.
On Threads, here’s a look at some of the conversations happening:
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Meanwhile, Nolan’s family lawyers have said the grand jury’s findings raised more questions than they answered. The family is doubling down on their request for the Department of Justice to step in and they’re asking for DA McIlrath to release the full autopsy from the state medical examiner.
Associated Press contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
