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Independent autopsy cannot rule out foul play in Nolan Wells' death: Attorney
(TNND) — An independent autopsy commissioned by the family of Mississippi teenager Nolan Wells found his cause and manner of death to be "undetermined," with the forensic pathologist saying foul play could not be ruled out as the investigation continues.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced the preliminary findings Wednesday during a news conference at the NAACP National Convention.
The autopsy was performed by Dr. Roger Mitchell, a board-certified forensic pathologist and president of the National Medical Association. According to Crump, Mitchell's review was conducted after Wells' body underwent an earlier autopsy by the Jackson County Coroner's Office.
Crump said the preliminary report identified red discoloration on the back of Wells' head and noted that portions of the examination could not be completed because of missing body parts and the condition of the remains.
According to the report, Mitchell was unable to determine whether Wells was conscious before entering the water or how he ended up there. The report also found no apparent fractures or lacerations, though the level of decomposition made it impossible to determine whether bruising had been present.
Crump said portions of Wells' throat were not available during the examination, preventing the pathologist from ruling out injuries to the neck as a possible contributing factor in the teen's death.
The independent review did not include toxicology results. Crump said the autopsy was performed July 10, several days after Wells disappeared and four days after his body was recovered.
The official state autopsy remains incomplete while authorities await toxicology testing. Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd told NBC News earlier this week that the state's final autopsy report had not yet been completed.
Wells, 18, disappeared July 4 after traveling to Horn Island with a group of friends to celebrate Independence Day. According to investigators, his friends left the island after their boat began taking on water, while Wells reportedly planned to return later with another group. His mother reported him missing around midnight, and his body was discovered July 6 by a National Park Service ranger.
Crump renewed calls Wednesday for investigators to release additional information and said Mitchell should be allowed to review the state's findings and participate when the case is presented to a Mississippi grand jury.
Wells' parents also spoke during Wednesday's news conference, saying they continue to seek answers about what happened to their son.
"We just want honesty. We want to know what happened to our son," his father, Elmore Wonsley, said.
His mother, Christine Wells-Wonsley, said the family pursued an independent autopsy because the state's report has not yet been released.
The circumstances surrounding Wells' death remain under investigation, and authorities have not announced a final cause or manner of death.
Crump has previously disputed suggestions that Wells drowned, while some experts familiar with Horn Island have told NBC News that dangerous currents around the island can quickly become life-threatening. Authorities have not publicly determined how Wells died.
Kierra Sheard, J Drew Sheard II, Kerry Douglas & More Honored At BMI’s 2026 Trailblazers Of Gospel Music Awards
National Urban League Conference being held in Nashville this month
NASHVILLE, TN — The National Urban League Conference heads to Nashville, July 29 – August 1, 2026. Leaders from business, government, media, and social justice will convene for four days of powerful programming, meaningful dialogue, and strategic connection.
As one of the nation’s most influential events on civil rights, economic empowerment, and urban advocacy, the Conference continues to drive progress and opportunity across the Urban League’s network of 92 affiliates nationwide.
Rhonda Spears Bell, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at the National Urban League spoke with the Tribune about the conference which she calls, “A Family meeting… You know, when family comes together because something really important is going on… something that needs to be discussed and decisions need to be made.”
“It’s interesting and ironic in a way that we are coming to Tennessee into Nashville, during this time in our country,” Spears Bell said when asked why the investment in Tennessee, given the racial and political turmoil the region is undergoing. “We knew we were coming to Nashville, two or three years ago, because we bid out our conference that far in advance.
“We view this city, where tradition meets innovation and that very much aligns with what the National Urban League represents. We are also attracted to markets and to cities where we have strong affiliates and a strong affiliate network and leaders. We have that in Clifton Harris, who leads the Urban League of Middle Tennessee.
“Tennessee is basically one of the epicenters of what’s happening in this country right now, as it relates to our voting rights being suppressed, removed and dismantled. So, we’re there to say, yes, we’re going to have a good time, but we are also going to continue to fight for ourselves, for equity and for our democracy.”
Spears Bell told the Tribune that the National Urban League Conference is where the movement comes together. The Urban League is the largest urban advocacy and civil rights conference in the country. Spears Bell said the event is, “Not just a conference, it’s a movement. At the national conference you’re walking into a space where you’re going to run into leaders, activists, entrepreneurs and elected officials. We have entertainers and students and content creators and young professionals. Everybody’s coming together for a common goal. This is where conversations become action.”
The National Urban League Conference is designed to equip people not just motivate them.
Events that are free and open to the public include: The Career Networking Fair on Wednesday July 29 from 11 am until 4 pm. For information go to: https://nulcareerfair.vfairs.com/ and, the Community Family Day on Saturday August 4th from 10 am until 3 pm. For more information go to: https://nulcommunityday.vfairs.com/en/
Both events will take place at the Music City Center, 201 Rep. John Lewis Way, Nashville 37203.
Registration is currently open at:
https://conference.iamempowered.com/nashville-2026/registration
Discounted registration packages are available for students and seniors.
Tennessee ranked worst state to live in for 2026
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A recent study by financial network CNBC determined Tennessee has the worst quality of life in the country.
The study weighed factors like crime rates, air quality and healthcare in addition to cost and availability of childcare, inclusiveness of state laws and reproductive rights.
Tennessee earned the bottom ranking for laws critics believe are aimed at Tennessee’s LGBTQ+ community as well as high crime rates, poor access to healthcare and inadequate worker protections, according to the study.
“Tennessee Republicans, led by Gov. Bill Lee, make no apologies for a rash of state laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community, including a so-called “bathroom law” requiring transgender people to use the facilities designated for their sex at birth. The state also explicitly bars localities from adopting their own antidiscrimination ordinances. To underscore the point, Lee signed a resolution earlier this year designating June “Nuclear Family Month.”
“The nuclear family, consisting of one husband, one wife, and any biological, adopted, or fostered children, is God’s design for familial structure and has been the bedrock of society since the creation of the world,” the resolution states.
Its sponsors deliberately timed the observance to coincide with the month when Tennessee’s more than 300,000 LGBTQ+ people celebrate Pride.Inclusiveness isn’t the only area where the Volunteer State falls short. Tennessee also has one of the highest violent crime rates in the nation, according to FBI statistics. And it has the third-highest rate of drug deaths, according to the United Health Foundation.”
The Tennessee Democratic Party issued a statement in response to the study, which reads:
“Tennessee is home. Every Tennessean deserves the opportunity to build a good life here, raise a family, find affordable healthcare, earn a good paycheck, and know their children will have a brighter future. Instead, after more than 15 years of one-party Republican control, our state has become a place where working families are asked to settle for last place while Republicans spend their time fueling division and distracting from their failures. Tennesseans deserve leaders who are focused on lowering costs, expanding opportunity, and making this the best state in the country to live, work, and raise a family. That’s what we are fighting for. And Tennessee Democrats will keep fighting for a Tennessee that is first, not last.” — Rachel Campbell, Chairwoman of the Tennessee Democratic Party.
Tennessee scored a total of 64 points out of a possible 290. The lone positive strength for the Volunteer State was air quality.Georgia, Louisiana, Indiana and Texas make up the rest of the bottom five states. Vermont was ranked the best state for quality of life by CNBC for the sixth year in a row.
New book calls underfunding of TSU 'greatest financial injustice in Tennessee history'
DC BLOX closes on $23M property for proposed data center near Nashville Zoo, records show
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — FOX 17 News has confirmed DC BLOX is now the official owner of property near the Nashville Zoo at the center of months of debate over a proposed data center.
According to a Special Warranty Deed recorded Monday with the Davidson County Register of Deeds, DCB Nashville, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company associated with DC BLOX, purchased the property at 648 and 650 Grassmere Park Drive from MarketStreet Grassmere LLC.
An affidavit filed with the deed states the property's transfer value was $23 million. The deed was executed on July 16 and recorded on July 20.
The sale comes at a pivotal moment.On Tuesday night, Metro Council is scheduled to hold the third and final reading on both a proposed data center regulations bill and a moratorium on new data center development. If approved, the measures would place new restrictions on where future data centers can be built. If the moratorium passes at the same time the regulations bill passes, it will not go into effect.
The property has become the focal point of an ongoing battle between DC BLOX, Metro Nashville, the Nashville Zoo and community members. Hundreds of thousands of people have signed petitions opposing the proposed data center because of concerns about its proximity to the zoo, neighborhoods and other sensitive uses.
Just days before the sale became official, Metro announced it was moving forward with condemnation proceedings, arguing the property is needed for future public uses tied to airport expansion and other Metro operations.It remains unclear what impact DC BLOX’s completed purchase will have on Metro’s eminent domain efforts or the proposed data center project moving forward.
Applications for 'Take a Titan to School' now open for upcoming school year
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Have a Titans fan in your classroom? The Tennessee Titans announced that applications for their "Take a Titan to School" initiative are now open.
Teachers, staff and school administrators can apply for a chance to have a Titans football player visit their school. During visits, players participate in classroom activities and can answer student questions in a Q and A session.
“There is nothing quite like seeing a classroom light up when a Titans player walks through the door,” said Josh Corey, Titans Vice President of Cause Marketing. “Take a Titan to School gives our players a meaningful opportunity to connect directly with students and bring the excitement of the Titans into classrooms across Middle Tennessee.”
The initiative started as a way to bring Middle Tennessee students and Titans players to create memories for students while encouraging them to give their best in school and achieve their dreams.
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