Preliminary findings from an independent autopsy of Nolan Wells will be released Wednesday, according to the family’s attorney.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced that he will join Wells’ parents and NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson for a press conference at the annual NAACP National Convention in Chicago at 8 a.m. Wednesday. During the press conference, Crump is expected to discuss the preliminary findings of an independent autopsy conducted on behalf of the Wells family and paid for by former NFL quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick.
Wells, an 18-year-old from Ocean Springs, traveled to Horn Island by boat with friends on July 4 to celebrate the holiday. He was reported missing after he did not return to the mainland with the group. On the morning of July 6, a park ranger found his body on the island’s northwestern tip following a multiagency search.
The announcement comes days after the NAACP National Board of Directors adopted a resolution of condolence for the Wells family during its annual convention. The resolution calls on local, state, and federal authorities – including the U.S. Department of Justice – to conduct what it describes as a thorough and transparent review of the circumstances surrounding Wells’ death and the events leading up to the discovery of his body.
Mississippi law enforcement officials have not indicated they believe foul play was involved in Wells’ death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Even so, calls for additional answers have continued to grow. During Wells’ funeral in Ocean Springs on Monday, Rev. Al Sharpton urged anyone with information about the case to come forward while also cautioning against drawing conclusions before all evidence is reviewed.
Wells, who was Black, was pictured on a boat with three white friends hours before he was reported missing.
“We want answers, not biased either way, just answers. I think that, for the family, the closure can come if there is justice,” Sharpton said during the eulogy. “Some have pre-judged [this case]. I do not think it is appropriate for either side of opinions to prevail without a fair investigation. We cannot say it was racist, but we cannot say it was not racist. So, let’s not judge until all evidence is in.”
Sharpton, filmmaker Tyler Perry, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens have collectively offered a $125,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case.
The state of Mississippi has also conducted an autopsy with those results still pending.
