State Medical Examiner Office’s autopsy report in Nolan Wells case released

JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- The Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office autopsy report for Nolan Wells was publicly released Thursday by attorney Ben Crump and his team.

Wells’ cause and manner of death remain undetermined nearly three months after his death.

The state medical examiner and a forensic pathologist retained by the family to perform a second autopsy came to the same conclusion, aside from the potential presence of bruising on Wells’ shoulder and lower back.

Dr. Staci Turner with the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office performed the initial examination of Nolan Wells’ body on July 7.

Of note, her report states that she found two dark red-purple subcutaneous scalp contusions, or bruises, on the back of Wells’ head, each measuring approximately two inches. The report indicates there were no external scalp injuries, skull fractures, or hemorrhages. In his neck, his larynx and hyoid bone were without fractures or hemorrhages. Dr. Turner did not find any fluid or debris in his airways. His stomach was empty, and his internal organs were free of injury and natural disease.

Her summary stated that, since the circumstances surrounding Wells’ death are unknown, the cause and manner of death are best classified as undetermined.

The final report of Dr. Roger Mitchell, a forensic pathologist who was retained by Wells’ family to perform a second autopsy, was released this week.

His findings list the two bruises on the back of Wells’ head as blunt-force injury to the head. This is a change from his preliminary report from July 19, when he noted an area of red discoloration in the soft tissue on the back of Wells’ head.

Dr. Mitchell’s final report states that the red discoloration was confirmed as blood, but how Wells sustained the injuries is unknown. The report indicates that the back of his head and his neck were free of fractures. No injuries to his hyoid bone or thyroid cartilage were found by Dr. Mitchell.

Additionally, Dr. Mitchell reviewed original photos taken during the initial autopsy performed by the state. He says those photos revealed two probable contusions on Wells’ lower back, above the buttocks, and one on his shoulder blade. He also referred to the contusions as recent, unexplained blunt-force injuries, similar to the bruises on his head. A dissection of this area did not reveal evidence of deep-tissue injury.

Dr. Mitchell also states that the best classification for the cause and manner of death is undetermined.