Petition for Continued Review and Transparency in the Nolan Wells Case
Addressed to:
The Honorable Angel Myers McIlrath
District Attorney, 19th Circuit Court District of Mississippi
Jackson County, Mississippi

From:
Clark Atlanta University NAACP Chapter

Re: A Call for Continued Review, Transparency, and Accountability in the Death of Nolan Xavier Wells
We, the undersigned members of the Clark Atlanta University NAACP and concerned members of the community, respectfully call upon District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office to continue examining the circumstances surrounding the death of Nolan Xavier Wells and to ensure that every reasonable investigative avenue has been fully considered.

Nolan Wells was an 18-year-old Black student-athlete whose life was cut short after he traveled with friends to Horn Island on July 4, 2026. His body was discovered two days later. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death have raised significant questions for his family, advocates, and members of the public.

We recognize that a Mississippi grand jury reviewed evidence in September 2026 and returned a No True Bill, finding insufficient evidence to indict individuals for criminal conduct related to Nolan's death. We also recognize the District Attorney's responsibility to follow the evidence and the law rather than public speculation.

However, a decision not to indict does not eliminate the legitimate questions that remain surrounding Nolan's death.

Public reporting indicates that the grand jury concluded that Nolan's death was consistent with drowning while his cause of death remained undetermined. Reporting has also raised questions concerning injuries documented during the forensic examination and the circumstances immediately preceding Nolan's disappearance. Respectfully, It is impossible to drown with no water in your lungs. 

For Nolan's family and for those who believe every unexplained death deserves a thorough examination, unanswered questions remain.

Therefore, we respectfully petition the Jackson County District Attorney's Office to:
1. Continue to review the Nolan Wells investigation.
We ask that the case remain subject to further examination should additional evidence, credible information, forensic findings, or investigative leads emerge.

2. Reexamine unresolved forensic questions.
We ask that the office carefully consider all available autopsy findings, independent forensic observations, documented injuries, toxicology information, and other evidence relevant to determining the circumstances and cause of Nolan's death.

3. Ensure that all available digital and physical evidence has been thoroughly examined.
This includes Nolan's cellphone data, GPS information, photographs, videos, communications, witness accounts, and other evidence collected during the investigation.

4. Reevaluate inconsistencies or unanswered questions in witness accounts.
We ask that investigators continue to examine the timeline of July 4–6, 2026, including Nolan's last known movements, the circumstances under which he remained on Horn Island, and the events preceding the discovery of his body.

5. Preserve all evidence and investigative records.
We ask that all physical, digital, forensic, photographic, testimonial, and investigative materials related to Nolan's case be preserved so that future credible evidence can be evaluated appropriately.

6. Provide transparency to the extent permitted by law.
We recognize that prosecutors are subject to legal and ethical restrictions concerning confidential investigative information. Nevertheless, we ask the District Attorney's Office to release or make available all records and findings that can legally be disclosed, including relevant forensic and investigative documentation.

7. Consider additional independent review when appropriate.
Where legitimate unresolved forensic or investigative questions remain, we encourage consultation with qualified independent experts or agencies capable of providing an objective review.

8. Keep the Wells family's pursuit of answers at the center of this process.
Regardless of the legal outcome reached by the grand jury, Nolan's family deserves to understand, to the fullest extent legally possible, what happened to their son.

Our position is simple:

Nolan Wells deserves answers.

We believe that justice requires not only determining whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute, but also making every reasonable effort to establish the truth surrounding the death of an 18-year-old young man.

The absence of an indictment does not necessarily answer every question surrounding a death. Likewise, public speculation should never substitute for evidence.

We therefore respectfully ask District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath to reexamine the available evidence, remain receptive to credible new information, preserve the integrity of the investigation, and provide the greatest degree of transparency legally permissible.

Nolan was someone's son, brother, teammate, friend, student, and community member. His life mattered. His family deserves answers and we believe the pursuit of those answers should continue.

Justice for Nolan Wells means never allowing unanswered questions to become forgotten questions.

This petition represents the advocacy position of the Clark Atlanta University NAACP Chapter and does not purport to establish criminal liability or make factual findings beyond those supported by publicly available information.