Independent autopsy leaves Nolan Wells' death undetermined
What's new: The family-backed review found no clear evidence of foul play, while Mississippi's official autopsy remains pending.
An independent autopsy commissioned by the family of Nolan Wells found the 18-year-old's cause and manner of death were undetermined pending further investigation, keeping open questions in a Mississippi case that has drawn national attention. Family attorney Ben Crump released the preliminary findings Wednesday at the NAACP convention in Chicago. He said the condition of Wells' body prevented a complete forensic review and that the pathologist could not rule out non-accidental factors. Wells disappeared after a July 4 boat trip with friends to Horn Island off the Mississippi coast. His body was recovered July 6. Jackson County authorities have said they initially suspected drowning and saw no early sign of a crime, but the state medical examiner's official autopsy has not yet been released.