“NO WATER IN HIS LUNGS”: AUTOPSY FINDINGS RAISE NEW QUESTIONS IN NOLAN WELLS CASE

ThanhThuy
October 12, 2026

“NO WATER IN HIS LUNGS”: AUTOPSY FINDINGS RAISE NEW QUESTIONS IN NOLAN WELLS CASE

The family of 18-year-old Nolan Wells is seeking answers after attorneys shared findings from a state autopsy that recorded no water in his lungs or airways. However, both the official and independent examinations listed his cause and manner of death as undetermined.

MISSISSIPPI, USA — New forensic details have renewed public attention surrounding the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, whose body was discovered near Horn Island off the Mississippi coast after he disappeared during a Fourth of July outing with friends.

At a September 24 news conference, civil rights attorney Ben Crump and members of the legal team representing Wells’ family discussed findings from the state autopsy and a forensic examination of the teenager’s cellphone.

According to the family’s legal team, the state autopsy documented no fluid or debris in Wells’ airways. Attorneys also said the report recorded no water in his lungs, throat or stomach.

The findings have prompted further questions from his family about what happened before his death. But the medical evidence has not established that another person was responsible.

WHAT DID THE AUTOPSY REVEAL?

During the news conference, attorney Liza Park outlined findings from the state medical examiner’s report, including bruising on the back of Wells’ head.

The examination reportedly documented two bruises near the base of his skull. The report also noted that his larynx and hyoid bone showed no fractures or hemorrhages.

The absence of water in the lungs and airways has become a central point of discussion. However, the findings must be interpreted in the context of the complete medical evidence.

Both the state autopsy and an independent examination listed Wells’ cause and manner of death as undetermined. That means the examinations did not establish a definitive explanation for how he died.

A GRAND JURY PREVIOUSLY DECLINED TO BRING CHARGES

Wells disappeared during a July 4 trip to Horn Island with a group of friends. His body was recovered on July 6.

In September, a Jackson County grand jury declined to bring criminal charges in the case. The grand jury said the circumstances were consistent with drowning, while the medical examinations left the cause and manner of death undetermined.

Wells’ family has continued to seek answers and has questioned whether all the available evidence has been adequately examined.

Their concerns do not, on their own, establish that a crime occurred. Authorities have not publicly established that another person caused Wells’ death.

CELLPHONE DATA ADDS ANOTHER LAYER TO THE CASE

At the same news conference, a digital forensic expert hired by the family discussed information recovered from Wells’ cellphone.

The expert said the examination identified deleted social media data and interactions with the device after Wells’ last recorded use. The team said it could not determine the intent behind the deletions from the digital evidence alone.

These claims have raised additional questions for the family, but deleted data does not automatically prove wrongdoing. The circumstances and significance of any digital activity must be established through further evidence.

A FAMILY STILL SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS

For Wells’ parents, the loss of their son has been compounded by unanswered questions about his final hours.

Their legal team has called for further scrutiny of the evidence, including the medical findings and cellphone data. The case has also attracted attention from students and members of the public who want greater clarity about what happened.

At this stage, the central facts remain important: Wells was found dead after disappearing during a holiday outing, the autopsy findings raised questions for his family, and his cause and manner of death remain undetermined in the reports cited here.

The absence of water in his lungs is a reported forensic finding — not, by itself, proof of homicide or evidence identifying a person responsible.

For those seeking answers, the next steps depend on what further examination of the evidence can establish.

The family continues to seek clarity about Nolan Wells’ death. What matters now is that every claim is examined carefully and every conclusion is supported by evidence.

Sources