An attorney representing the family of Nolan Wells said on Wednesday that an independent autopsy failed to identify a clear cause of death in a case that has drawn national attention."These findings are inconclusive ...
pending further investigation," said Ben Crump.Speaking during a press conference at an NAACP gathering in Chicago, Crump said the body wasn't in a state that would allow a complete forensic review of the remains.The autopsy was performed by Dr.
Roger Mitchell, who was not present.While Crump acknowledged the autopsy found no evidence of wrongdoing, he described the findings as inconclusive: "This pathologist cannot rule out if any intervening non-accidental factors contributed to or caused the death of Nolan Wells," he said.Wells was found dead on an island off the Mississippi coast two days after he and friends boated to a Fourth of July party.
Wednesday's press conference provided little new concrete information about the case but appeared to be part of an effort to spur faster action from law enforcement.Wells' mother Christine Wells-Wonsley spoke briefly, voicing anger over the pace and scope of the official investigation."The only question we have is What happened to our son?" she said.
"It is our hope that our local authorities will do what they need to do.Us having the preliminary autopsy results and hearing nothing from them is heartbreaking and concerning."She added that local law enforcement appeared to conclude prematurely that her son's death was accidental.
"Damage has already been done because that's the narrative that's being pushed by the general public," Wells-Wonsley said.Law enforcement officials have not yet released an official cause of death, and an official state autopsy is still pending.In a statement released July 8, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office in Mississippi said Wells had last been seen near Horn Island and asked for help from the public as their investigation continues."As with any active investigation, our...