government
Independent autopsy of Nolan Wells did not determine the cause or manner of his death
Summary by The Waco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Scripps News Group , KXXV (ABC 25) News
· 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 Waco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Scripps News Group, KXXV (ABC 25) News 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 Waco
The lack of clarity surrounding Nolan Wells' death has significant implications for the Waco community, where concerns about transparency and accountability in investigations are already heightened. As the case continues to unfold, local residents are watching closely to see how authorities in Mississippi handle the investigation and whether they will provide timely updates on their findings. The fact that a reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction suggests that there are still many unanswered questions about the circumstances of Wells' death. In Waco, where community trust in law enforcement is crucial, this case may raise questions about how local authorities would handle a similar investigation, particularly in cases involving young people and potentially sensitive circumstances. The involvement of high-profile figures like Colin Kaepernick and Rev. Al Sharpton also underscores the need for local leaders to be prepared to address concerns and provide reassurance to the community as the investigation continues.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco 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 KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
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 KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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