government
Independent autopsy of Nolan Wells did not determine the cause or manner of his death
Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Scripps News Group , NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· July 22, 2026
· 3 min read
A second, independent autopsy of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells has not yet determined the cause or manner of his death, announced civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Wells' family. The preliminary findings conducted by Dr. Roger Mitchell, a board-certified forensic pathologist w...
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Summary created by The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Scripps News Group, NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The final results from the second autopsy are still pending investigation because Crump said when Mitchell received the body from Mississippi on July 10, the throat was not included, and he needs to examine that for a conclusive report.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The lack of conclusive findings from the independent autopsy of Nolan Wells will likely prolong the uncertainty and speculation surrounding his death in the Nashville community. As the investigation continues, local residents will be watching closely for any developments that may shed more light on the circumstances of Wells' disappearance and death. The fact that Wells was a local teenager who had traveled to Mississippi with friends will undoubtedly keep the case in the public eye, with many seeking transparency and accountability from authorities. The involvement of high-profile figures such as Colin Kaepernick, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Tyler Perry in seeking justice for Wells' family will also be closely followed by the community. As the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction grows, it is likely that more details will emerge, and the community will be eager to learn more about what happened to Nolan Wells.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A second, independent autopsy of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells has not yet determined the cause or manner of his death, announced civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Wells' family. The preliminary findings conducted by Dr. Roger Mitchell, a board-certified forensic pathologist w...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Scripps News Group at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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