‘Clear cover up’: Mississippi jury unanimously declines to press charges in Nolan Wells’ death, despite independent investigation suggesting foul play

A grand jury in Jackson County, Mississippi, has unanimously decided not to bring criminal charges in the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells. CNN noted that according to a report released by the Jackson County District Attorney’s office, the jury found no evidence of criminal or racially motivated wrongdoing in the teen’s death after a July 4th boat trip. However, the decision has sparked intense public reaction on Instagram and deep frustration from the Wells family.

Per The Guardian, the jury’s investigation was extensive, involving 132 subpoenas and testimony from 43 witnesses. Jurors reviewed a wide array of evidence, including GPS data, cellphone records, photos, videos, and a 261-page Snapchat conversation report. The grand jury ultimately concluded that the position and condition of Wells’ body were consistent with drowning. 

In a statement accompanying the report, District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said, “There is absolutely no evidence to support the allegations that Nolan’s death and disappearance were racially motivated.” She further noted that the narrative suggesting Wells was the only Black person in his group who did not return from the island was false, stating, “Nolan’s friends loved Nolan and Nolan loved them. Nolan chose to stay on the island that day and there is not a scintilla of evidence to contradict that.”

The inconsistent details

Nolan’s family and their legal team remain unconvinced, mostly because of the findings of independent investigations. The Guardian noted that Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the Wells family, criticized the decision, calling it an attempt “to close the chapter on Nolan Wells’ death without getting to the truth.” Crump emphasized that the findings leave the family with “more questions than answers,” particularly regarding unexplained injuries. 

“Mississippi’s own pathologist found two bruises on the back of this young man’s head and informed investigators of them early in this investigation,” Crump reportedly stated. “An independent autopsy documented traces of blood and recent blunt force injuries to the back of Nolan’s head and his back. To this day, not one person has explained how they got there.”

Later, CNN took to Instagram to share a clip of Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, as she expressed her heartbreak and disbelief. “Elmore and I do not believe that Nolan simply and accidentally drowned, and nobody saw anything, and no one knows anything,” she said. “Last night was a reminder that our son’s life does not matter to those who hold positions that are supposed to serve and protect the public.”

The response on Instagram was very strong. Many users have expressed their support for the family and their distrust of the legal outcome. One user on Instagram wrote, “It’s a clear cover up but the truth will be revealed. May those involved in the [death] and cover up never find peace and meet a life filled with loss after loss. I said what I said.” Another user added, “The only thing worse than losing your child is losing your child and not getting justice, I’m so sorry this happened.”

Others saw history repeating with Nolan Wells. A TikToker wrote,, “Just like Emmett Till. The state of Mississippi has a very violent & vulgar past that still obviously lingers today when It comes to getting justice for black lives. This Is the exact same crime In a slightly different font. Justice for Nolan Wells!” 

Support also came from public figures, including singer Annie Lennox, who told Wonsley in the comments, “Your son Nolan’s precious life ABSOLUTELY matters!!!! To your family – to your friends – to your community and to the WORLD!!! I hope you will find justice and PEACE!!! NO parent should EVER have to lose their child like this.” 

The legal team representing the three friends who were on the trip—Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo, and Morgan Seymour—expressed relief at the jury’s decision. Attorney Edward Paltzik said in a post on X, “We said it all along: Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo, and Morgan Seymour were always completely innocent. There was never any doubt. They are terrific people.” Paltzik and attorney Tyler Cox described the grand jury report as a “game changer” and a “treasure trove of information.”

Despite the grand jury’s findings, the legal battle is far from over. CNN reported that Crump is calling for the full release of the state’s medical examiner’s report and is urging officials to keep the case open. As the grand jury noted in its report, there is no statute of limitations on homicide cases in Mississippi, meaning if new evidence emerges, it could still be considered. 

For now, the family continues to push for transparency. “We’ll never stop,” Crump declared at the press conference. “We’ll never stop until we get to the truth.”