Crime Stories with Nancy Grace - Independent Autopsy Results Released in Mysterious Death of Nolan Wells | Crime Alert 07.23.26

Episode Date: July 23, 2026

Independent autopsy in Mississippi college football player Nolan Wells cannot rule out foul play. Washington man faces first-degree assault charges after prosecutors say he intentionally rammed an SUV into his wife’s alleged lover. Two Utah teenagers allegedly lure a young man into a knifepoint, robbery. Sydney Silvagni reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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I'm Sydney Salvani. We begin in Mississippi, where the family of 18-year-old student, athlete Nolan Wells, who publicly questioned key details surrounding his death after a Fourth of July party, has released preliminary findings from an independent autopsy. On Wednesday, July 22nd, Attorney Ben Crump presented preliminary results from Dr. Roger Mitchell. At a news conference, Attorney Crump detailed why Dr. Mitchell could not yet determine a cause or manner of death without further investigation. Preliminary report second autopsy, death of no and Xavier Wells, cause of death undetermined pending investigation. And we'll explain that as we go

through the report this morning. The manner of death, undetermined pending investigation. While Dr. Mitchell found no fractures or deep tissue injuries and could not rule out foul play, his report highlights significant limitations. Mitchell lacked initial action. access to the body and key organs were dissected during the official state autopsy as his standard procedure, preventing him from examining Wells' lungs or stomach for drowning signs. Decomposition also hindered detecting subtle abrasions. However, Mitchell identified significant red discoloration in the soft tissue at the back of Wells' head behind his ears. Mitchell outlined seven key questions, including whether there was intercranial bleeding, what toxicology reveals, and how Wells

entered the water before his body was found two days later on Horn Island. Wells, a wide receiver at Southwest Mississippi Community College, was last seen on the Barrier Island around 3 p.m. on July 4th. His mother reported him missing that night, learning a friend had already alerted the Coast Guard. While Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter told Nightline that Wells appeared to stay behind voluntarily, the family maintains that narrative does not add up. When the initial boat went to leave back, whoever was the boat operator, they left and went back without Nolan from what we understand he chose to stay there. Crump noted a young woman claimed Wells actually planned to return to the boat.

Questions also surround Wells' cell phone, which friends kept. Friend Tristan Shepherd told Good Morning America that Wells left his phone on the boat. boat while swimming. Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynn says official autopsy and toxicology results could take weeks. His mother remembered him as an inclusive peacemaker, while dad Elmore Wansley said he made friends anywhere he went. More Crime and Justice News after this. Get Bell Pure Fiber Internet with Crave Netflix and Disney Plus from $94 a month.

Price guaranteed for two years on internet with a two-year term and auto pay credit. Visit bell.ca for details and to check availability. Bell, connection is everything. In Tacoma, Washington, a man faces first-degree assault charges after prosecutors say he intentionally used an SUV as a deadly weapon. Johnny Clay Hartwell was charged Tuesday in Pierce County Superior Court following a midnight collision on E-75th Street. Prosecutors alleged Hartwell intentionally accelerated his GMC Denali into a man, inflicted. critical life-threatening injuries. The victim was rushed to St. Joseph Medical Center in critical condition. Police found no weapons on him. The victim was rushed to St. Joseph Medical Center

in critical condition. Police found no weapons on him. Hartwell claimed the victim had a months long affair with his wife in 2025 and made threats. Hartwell told detectives he encountered the man near his home and claimed the victim reached toward his waistband. Claiming self-defense, Hartwell said he ducked behind his steering wheel at 30 to 40 miles per hour, fell to thump, and drove home to call 911 without stopping to render aid. However, court documents reveal a neighbor witnessed a far different story. The eyewitness told police, Hartwell circled the block multiple times while the victim stood smoking a cigarette.

The witness saw the SUV rev its engine and accelerate directly into the victim's back. The impact threw the man into a parked car, knocking him unconscious before the vehicle destroyed two mailboxes. Hartwell's wife confirmed the victim left his phone in her car earlier, and Hartwell left home searching for him. Detectives are seeking search warrants for the vehicle and cell phones. Turning to Utah, two teenagers are in custody in Mill Creek, after police say they lured a victim into a home,

then kidnapped and robbed him. 19-year-old James David Waterman and 18-year-old Wyatt Dean Hansen face charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery following the July 19th incident. According to court documents, the victim messaged a female friend early Sunday who stated she had just broken up with Waterman. The victim arrived at her residence at 3.38 a.m. and was asked to move a friend from the couch to a bed, a friend allegedly faking being passed out to lure him inside. Once inside, Waterman and Hansen emerged from an entryway closet, claiming to have a gun. they locked the door while Hansen blocked the rear exit. The suspects demanded the victim's phone

and wallet stealing $100. They forced him onto his knees to beg for his life, while Waterman grabbed his hair and held a knife to his throat and face. When the suspects discussed destroying his phone, the victim warned them it contained an active tracker. The victim managed to escape into nearby yards and called for help. Hansen was arrested Tuesday and admitted to blocking the door and pretending to have a gun, though he denied stealing money. Waterman was arrested hours later and refused to speak without an attorney present. For more crime and justice news, be sure to join us for crime stories with Nancy Grace on Fox 1, YouTube, SiriusXM, and now streaming on Tooby. With this crime alert, I'm Sidney.

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