A Mississippi grand jury has found no evidence supporting criminal charges in the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, whose body was discovered offshore after a Fourth of July boating trip. The panel said the circumstances were consistent with drowning and ruled out foul play, addressing widespread public speculation about his disappearance.

The report noted that the state chief medical examiner and another doctor listed the cause of death as undetermined, while stressing that drowning is a diagnosis of exclusion. It also said Wells had not been involved in a fight, remained on Horn Island to socialise, and was not the only person of colour there; the boat carrying his group had reportedly malfunctioned, was taking on water and was sinking.