Independent autopsy of Black Mississippi teen Nolan Wells finds 'undetermined' cause of death
An independent autopsy of Nolan Wells, a Black teenager found dead in Mississippi, has returned an 'undetermined' cause of death. The family's attorney is calling for further evidence from state officials to clarify the circumstances surrounding the death.
Why it matters
The case highlights concerns regarding transparency in forensic investigations and racial disparities in the justice system.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the Wells family, announced the preliminary findings Wednesday in front of a standing-room-only crowd at the annual NAACP National Convention in Chicago.
The autopsy report, he said, showed no evidence of fractures or deep tissue injuries. It described a "red discolouration" in the back of Wells's skull as "inconclusive" and meriting further investigation.
Without further information, the forensic pathologist, Dr. Robert Mitchell, wrote that he could not rule out the possibility that "non-accidental factors contributed to or caused the death."
Wells had traveled to an island off the coast of Mississippi on July 4 with a group of friends, who later returned to the mainland without him. His body was discovered two days later floating off the island's coast.
Who is Nolan Wells, and why has the Black Mississippi teen's death received widespread attention?
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