Autopsy findings for 18-year-old Nolan Wells, who went missing during a boat trip on the Fourth of July, have yet to reveal any evidence of criminal behavior in his death. Investigation results are pending, particularly regarding his toxicology report, as explained by a former chief medical examiner.
The exact cause of Wells’ death is still unknown. Challenges in decomposition and questions surrounding a significant 12-inch “discoloration” on his scalp are complicating the investigation, leaving his family in uncertainty.
“I want to emphasize: thus far, I don’t see any indications of foul play, though I’m not privy to their complete findings,” Dr. Michael Baden noted.
“At this point, we can’t ascertain the cause of death,” he continued.
“Typically, they complete a standard toxicology panel first, and almost all substances can be identified within a week or two,” added Dr. Baden, who previously served as New York State Police’s chief forensic pathologist.
He mentioned that while some newer cannabinoid substances take longer to process, they usually aren’t lethal. They rarely lead to fatalities.
During a press briefing with Wells’ mourning family, civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump raised concerns, pointing out that Wells’ throat was removed before his body was sent for a secondary autopsy in Washington, D.C.
However, Dr. Baden, who conducted the autopsy of Jeffrey Epstein, remarked that this practice isn’t out of the ordinary.
“In cases of neck compression, such as fractures in the trachea or Adam’s apple, those signs are often evident in the initial autopsy,” he explained.
Latest insights into the disappearance and death of Nolan Wells.
Dr. Baden also mentioned that retaining the trachea for further examination isn’t common but can be crucial, as minor fractures may be overlooked initially.
It’s still unclear whether the marks on the back of Wells’ head resulted from an accident, foul play, or occurred before or after his death.
“The wound is significant—around 12 inches long across the back of the scalp, which could possibly relate to postmortem decomposition,” he noted.
“He might have fallen and struck a rock or another object in the water. It’s also feasible that he could have injured his head before entering the water. But really, there are many possibilities that need to be explored,” he added.
