Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old college student, was found in the waters off Horn Island, a barrier island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast, on July 6, 2026, two days after going on a Fourth of July outing with friends.

In September, a Jackson County grand jury unanimously concluded that the evidence did not justify criminal charges against anyone in connection with his death. However, the decision did not resolve every question about how Wells died.

What the Grand Jury Concluded

The 23-member grand jury reviewed evidence from 43 witnesses, alongside physical evidence, police reports, videos, digital records, and other investigative materials. It concluded that there was no credible evidence supporting criminal charges against anyone connected to the trip.

The report said the location and condition of Nolan’s body were consistent with drowning. However, both the state medical examiner and an independent forensic pathologist reportedly classified the cause and manner of death as undetermined. The grand jury also noted bruising on the back of his head but found no evidence that it was a fatal injury. How the bruising occurred remains unclear.

Why His Family Is Still Seeking Answers

Nolan’s parents have disputed the idea that the grand jury’s decision resolves every question about their son’s final hours. In October 2026, they called for a federal investigation, joined by civil rights attorney Ben Crump and other advocates. They have emphasized inconsistencies in accounts of the events and called for further scrutiny.

The grand jury’s decision means that the evidence presented did not support criminal indictments; it does not establish a definitive medical explanation for Nolan’s death.

For his family, the central question remains what happened between his last known hours on Horn Island and the discovery of his body on July 6.

Sources and related reporting:

• ABC News — Grand Jury Report: No Criminal Charges in Nolan Wells’ Death