Grand jury finds no evidence of criminal conduct in the death of Nolan Wells

Sep 22, 2026 · Elise Gregg

Originally published by NPR News Read the original

Grand jury finds no evidence of criminal conduct in the death of Nolan Wells

A man places a photograph of Nolan Xavier Wells in front of the podium before a news conference at McCormick Place in Chicago, on July 22. Wells, an 18-year-old Mississippi college student, was found dead after a boat trip with friends on July 4.

A grand jury found Wells' cause of death "consistent with drowning," and decided not to bring indictments. The teenager was found dead on Horn Island, after he boated there with friends to celebrate Independence Day.

(Image credit: Octavio Jones)