Grand jury finds no foul play in death of Nolan Wells, court documents state

Key Points:

• A Jackson County grand jury unanimously returned a no true bill in the death investigation of Nolan Wells, meaning no criminal charges will be issued after reviewing extensive evidence including phone data, GPS logs, and witness testimony.
• Wells was found dead off Horn Island on July 6, 2026, after a July 4 outing; the jury concluded he stayed behind on the island while others left on boats, and his phone was later found on the mainland without him.
• Autopsy reports by both the state medical examiner and an independent pathologist found the cause of death undetermined but consistent with accidental drowning; no fatal injuries or cocaine use were detected, and alcohol was self-purchased by Wells.
• The grand jury dismissed online rumors of fights, criminal conduct, and procedural misconduct in the autopsy, confirming all such allegations were false and that proper medical protocols were followed.
• Mississippi law allows the case to be reopened if credible new evidence emerges, and the district attorney’s office has published a redacted version of the grand jury findings for public review.