NOLAN WELLS’ FAMILY RELEASES INDEPENDENT AUTOPSY FINDINGS AS PATHOLOGIST SAYS CAUSE OF DEATH REMAINS UNDETERMINED.(PHOTO).

 Nolan Wells’ family releases independent autopsy findings as pathologist says cause of death remains undetermined

Nolan Wells’ independent autopsy has not determined how the 18-year-old student-athlete died, but the pathologist who reviewed his remains has outlined several unanswered questions about the circumstances surrounding his death.

During a news conference on Wednesday, July 22, attorney Ben Crump presented preliminary findings from Dr. Roger J. Mitchell, who conducted the independent examination on behalf of Wells’ family.

Mitchell said the manner and cause of Wells’ death could not be determined at this stage. He also said he could not rule out foul play, although he did not identify any fractures or deep tissue injuries on Wells’ body.

The report noted several limitations, including the condition of Wells’ remains when the examination took place, the lack of access to certain body parts that remained with law enforcement, and the absence of information about how Wells entered the water and whether he was conscious at the time.

Mitchell said decomposition may have affected his ability to identify possible signs of bruising or abrasions.

One finding highlighted during the news conference was discoloration in the soft tissue at the back of Wells’ head, behind his ears. Crump described the finding as significant, but Mitchell said the reason for the discoloration was unknown and noted there were no cuts or fractures in that area.

Mitchell also said he was unable to examine Wells’ lungs or stomach contents for possible signs related to drowning because those examinations had already been carried out during the official investigation.

The official autopsy results and toxicology report have not yet been released.

In his report, Mitchell listed seven questions that he said required further answers. They include how Wells entered the water before his body was found near Horn Island, the position of his body when it was discovered, whether there was water in his airway, and whether there were injuries to his neck.

The remaining questions involve whether there was evidence of bleeding in the brain, what was found in Wells’ stomach contents, and the results of toxicology testing.

“We will persist, persist, persist” in seeking answers, Crump told reporters.

The independent examination was conducted in Washington, D.C., according to Crump, who said the family wanted a pathologist without ties to Mississippi law enforcement. He added that former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick helped partially fund the examination and that his legal team would continue its own investigation.

Wells was last seen on July 4 on Horn Island, a barrier island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast, during a Fourth of July gathering with friends. His body was found in the water near the northwest end of the island two days later.

Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter previously said investigators believed Wells chose to remain on the island after his friends left, with the expectation that he would return to the mainland with someone else.

Wells’ family has questioned parts of that account, saying some details they received did not match their understanding of what happened.

During an earlier news conference, Crump raised questions about Wells’ phone, which was later returned to the family after being left with friends. He also questioned why Wells would leave his phone behind if he intended to remain on the island.

One of Wells’ friends, Tracestin Shepherd, later told ABC News that Wells left his phone in the boat along with others because they planned to spend time in the water.