CHICAGO — Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is expected to release the preliminary findings of an independent autopsy in the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells on Wednesday, marking what could become a pivotal moment in the investigation that has drawn national attention and growing calls for transparency.
As Questions Remain, Family Looks to Independent Findings
Crump will present the findings during a news conference at the 117th NAACP National Convention in Chicago, where he will be joined by Wells’ parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley, and NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson.
The independent autopsy was commissioned by the Wells’ family, paid for by Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp organization, as they continue seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding his death.
The family has questioned aspects of the official investigation and has called for a thorough review of the events leading up to Wells’ disappearance and death.
Wells disappeared after traveling by boat with friends to Horn Island, Mississippi, on July 4. According to information released by the family, the group returned to the mainland without him. His body was discovered two days later by a U.S. Park Ranger near the northwestern tip of the barrier island.
The independent autopsy findings are expected to provide the family’s first public medical assessment of Wells’ death outside of the state’s investigation. It remains unclear whether the preliminary report will identify a cause or manner of death or raise additional questions requiring further investigation.
The Investigation’s Next Critical Moment
The Black Wall Street Times previously reported that Wells’ family has assembled a legal team led by Crump and attorney Liza Park while awaiting both the independent autopsy and the completion of the state’s investigation. Prosecutors have also said the case will ultimately be presented to a grand jury after investigators complete their evidence gathering.
The news conference is scheduled for 8 a.m. CDT Wednesday at McCormick Place West Building, Room 183B/C, during the NAACP National Convention in Chicago.
The Black Wall Street Times will provide updates following the release of the preliminary findings.
My question is this, everyone is so focused in on the group that so-called left him there with other people. When do the people he was left with get questioned? When does the “girl” he stayed behind for get questioned? We have not heard anything about anyone other than the ones that left the place. Maybe she had a boyfriend that was there that didn’t think too kindly of the fact that he was talking to her or that he liked her.