JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) — On Monday night, the office of Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath announced that a grand jury unanimously returned a no true bill in the death investigation of Nolan Wells, meaning no criminal charges or indictments will be issued.
The jury, made up of 23 members, reviewed phone forensic reports, GPS logs, security camera footage, 132 subpoenas and testimony from 43 witnesses. The Wells family’s legal team also reported finding no evidence of criminal activity to refer to prosecutors.
PREVIOUSLY: Here’s what we know about the disappearance and death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells
July 4, 2026
A photo of Nolan Wells on Horn Island on July 4, 2026.(wlox)
Wells was found dead in the water off Horn Island on the morning of July 6 — two days after he first set out to the island with a group of friends to celebrate July 4. The grand jury found that Wells rode on The Triton, which was one of three boats used by the group.
The Triton later took on water due to a bilge pump and motor failure while making the trip back and had to be towed by one of the other vessels. The jury believes that Wells, however, had chosen to stay behind on the island to continue socializing after the boats left for the mainland. The jury stated Wells’ phone ended up returning to the mainland without him, adding that other passengers also had phones return on different boats.
Cause of death & autopsy findings
Attorney Ben Crump previously said Nolan Wells’ cause and manner of death are undetermined, according to the preliminary independent autopsy report.
Both the Mississippi State Chief Medical Examiner and an independent forensic pathologist hired by the Wells family agreed that the cause and manner of Wells’ death were undetermined; court documents noted that accidental drowning remains consistent with the evidence provided and was not ruled out.
One injury found by both officials was non-fatal bruising on the back of Wells’ head. A witness who testified under oath said Wells slipped awkwardly off the side of a boat, but continued socializing and didn’t appear to be hurt. No signs of fatal physical trauma were found.
According to the toxicology report, no evidence of cocaine use was found. Wells bought his own alcohol using a fake ID, and no adults over 21 provided alcohol to him or his friends.
Internet rumors and allegations
A small group gathered outside the Jackson County Courthouse on July 27, 2026.(WLOX)
In the court documents, the grand jury noted online speculation that there’d been a fight involving Wells and that allegations had been made against Wells’ friends and their families. However, the jury stated the allegations were all false, finding there’d been no criminal conduct by anyone associated with Wells.
The jury added that viral photos of Wells at a pool party were confirmed to be from dates earlier than July 4. Another viral post sharing audio of the call made by someone aboard The Triton to SeaTow after the boat began taking on water was inaccurate compared to the original recording
Another rumor stated that the state medical examiner’s office withheld major organs before Wells’ body was inspected by the independent pathologist hired by the Wells family. However, the pathologist confirmed standard procedure was followed.
What’s next?
The court documents close by reminding the public that Mississippi has no statute of limitations on homicide. If credible new evidence is found signaling foul play, the case can be reopened and presented to another grand jury.
The office of Angel Myers McIlrath posted a redacted version of the grand jury’s findings to their Facebook. To see them, click here.
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