Nolan Wells' Family Has an Ask of Mississippi

The family of Nolan Wells says Mississippi officials are closing the book on his death while key pages remain blank. A day after a Jackson County grand jury declined to bring charges in his July 4 death on Horn Island, Wells' parents and attorney Ben Crump pushed the state to keep investigating, arguing the probe has been neither thorough nor transparent. "We don't know how Nolan died," Crump said in his statement, "and neither does the state of Mississippi. Mississippi must keep investigating."

District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said the grand jury found no evidence of a crime or that his death was racially motivated and determined that Wells' death was consistent with drowning. An independent autopsy ordered by the family listed the cause of death as undetermined but noted bruising on his body, including on the back of his head, his lower back, and near his left shoulder blade, reports TMZ. Crump is urging the release of the full state autopsy; Coroner Bruce Lynd tells NBC News Mississippi law does not permit that. Wells' mother, Christine Wells-Wonsley, says Myers McIlrath texted her at 7:54pm Monday, just prior to the release of the grand jury's findings. "To me, that action shows a lack of empathy," Wells-Wonsley said.