The cause and manner of death for 18-year-old Nolan Wells remain undetermined, according to the Mississippi State Medical Examiner's autopsy report released by his family.

Wells, a college football player, went missing on July 4, 2026, after a boat trip with friends to Horn Island. His body was recovered two days later, and authorities initially suspected drowning.

The state autopsy report noted evidence of injury to the back of Wells' head, described as two dark red-purple subcutaneous scalp contusions. However, the report did not conclude how this injury occurred and found no skull fractures or external scalp injuries. The pathologist classified the cause and manner of death as undetermined due to the unknown circumstances surrounding the death.

This finding aligns with the conclusion of a private autopsy commissioned by Wells' family, which was released in July and also ruled the cause and manner of death as undetermined pending investigation. The state Medical Examiner's office report follows a grand jury's review of the evidence, which determined that no criminal charges are warranted at this time.

Wells' mother, Christine Wonsley, expressed her grief and the family's ongoing quest for answers. "Losing a child, it truly breaks your heart ... especially someone like Nolan, who brought so much joy and light and life to everyone," she stated in July. She emphasized the family's singular question: "The only question we have is, what happened to our son?"

The circumstances of Wells' disappearance and death attracted significant public attention. Officials from the Jackson County Sheriff's Department stated that Wells appeared to have stayed behind on Horn Island after his friends departed. Sheriff John Ledbetter indicated that there were no initial signs of foul play but affirmed the department's commitment to thoroughly investigating the events.

The sheriff's office reportedly welcomed the family's decision to pursue an independent investigation. The case has left the family and community searching for definitive answers regarding the events that led to the young athlete's death.

Further details regarding the investigation and the findings from both the state and private autopsies continue to be a focus for authorities and the Wells family.