government
Independent autopsy of Nolan Wells did not determine the cause or manner of his death
Summary by The Detroit Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Scripps News Group , WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - 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 Detroit Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Scripps News Group, WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - 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 Detroit
The lack of conclusive findings in Nolan Wells' independent autopsy raises more questions about the circumstances surrounding his death, and Detroiters are watching closely. As a community that has faced its own share of high-profile cases involving racial tensions and demands for transparency, many are drawing parallels between Wells' case and the need for accountability in local investigations. The fact that Wells, a Black teenager, was with a group of white friends when he disappeared has sparked concerns about potential biases in the investigation. The involvement of high-profile figures like Colin Kaepernick, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Tyler Perry in seeking justice for Wells' family has also brought national attention to the case. As the investigation continues, Detroiters will be looking for updates on the final autopsy results and any potential developments in the case, particularly in terms of how local authorities respond to calls for transparency and accountability.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit 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 WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - 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 WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Scripps News Group at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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