The investigation into the death of 18-year-old college football player Nolan Xavier Wells has entered a new stage, with attorneys and independent experts expanding their review of the available evidence.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced that his legal team has retained nationally recognized forensic audio specialists to examine the Sea Tow emergency dispatch call made on the Fourth of July, the day Nolan disappeared near Horn Island.

According to the legal team, the experts will conduct a detailed analysis of the recording, working to isolate background conversations, environmental sounds, and other ambient audio captured during the reported mechanical problems involving the boat. The goal is to better understand what may have occurred before the emergency request was later canceled.

The enhanced audio review comes as the family’s independent forensic examination has encountered important limitations.

Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr., who performed a second autopsy funded by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, said he was unable to directly examine Nolan’s airway and lungs because those organs and certain neck structures had already been removed and retained during the original state autopsy—a standard forensic practice.

Dr. Mitchell explained that the absence of those anatomical structures prevented him from determining whether water was present in Nolan’s respiratory system, a key factor often evaluated when investigating a possible drowning. As a result, the independent examination was unable to confirm a specific cause of death, and its findings reportedly remained undetermined.

The combination of advanced audio analysis and independent forensic review reflects the family’s continued effort to obtain a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding Nolan’s death.

While early statements from local authorities suggested the incident may have involved an accidental drowning, officials have not released a final determination regarding either the cause or the manner of death. Investigators continue reviewing all available evidence.

Family representatives have also emphasized the importance of examining digital evidence alongside forensic findings. According to previous court filings, investigators are seeking records from several technology platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, Meta, WhatsApp, and Life360, in an effort to establish a complete timeline of Nolan’s final hours.

Meanwhile, Jackson County District Attorney Angel McIlrath is expected to compile the complete investigative file for presentation to an independent grand jury.

As the investigation continues, officials and legal representatives maintain that every available piece of evidence—including forensic examinations, digital records, and the newly commissioned audio analysis—will be carefully evaluated before any final conclusions are reached.

For Nolan’s family, the latest developments represent another step in their ongoing search for answers as they await the outcome of the investigation.

Source:  ABC news