JACKSON COUNTY, MS (GC Wire) – In her first public comments since the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath delivered a message that appears to answer one of the biggest questions surrounding the investigation: why the public has not seen the state’s evidence and why it likely won’t before the case reaches a grand jury.
Although McIlrath never specifically mentioned the official autopsy report, she repeatedly emphasized that prosecutors cannot publicly discuss evidence while an investigation is active because doing so could compromise both the investigation and the grand jury process. Her remarks strongly indicate that the state’s evidence, including the official autopsy findings, will remain confidential until that process is complete.
“Nolan’s family deserves answers, and our community deserves answers,” McIlrath said in a video released Thursday.
She explained that every death investigation in Jackson County—other than natural deaths and non-criminal traffic fatalities—is presented to a grand jury, adding that Wells’ case is being handled no differently than any other.
“Nolan’s case is being handled the same way, with the same care, and the same commitment to the truth that we handle all death investigations.”
Official Silence Explained
The district attorney’s remarks come one day after civil rights attorney Ben Crump publicly released the preliminary findings of an independent autopsy commissioned by Wells’ family during a press conference at the NAACP National Convention in Chicago.
Many have questioned when state investigators would release their own findings.
Without addressing the private autopsy or discussing any evidence in the case, McIlrath explained that Mississippi’s Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit prosecutors from publicly discussing investigative evidence while a case is pending.
“Our restraint in communicating facts and evidence is not an effort to keep the truth from the public. It is an effort to protect the integrity of this investigation and the grand jury proceeding.”
She said prosecutors have an ethical obligation to avoid public statements that could influence witnesses, prejudice future proceedings, or undermine confidence in the legal process.
“My obligation extends to and requires me to use reasonable care to ensure investigating agencies avoid making those statements and releasing information as well,” she said.
Every Lead Being Pursued
McIlrath also pushed back against suggestions that investigators have overlooked questions raised by the public.
According to the district attorney, investigators from local, state, and federal agencies have been working continuously since Wells was reported missing after a July 4 boating trip to Horn Island.
“Every piece of evidence must be examined. Every credible lead must be followed to its conclusion. Every witness interview must be analyzed in context of all other evidence.”
She added that public pressure cannot change what investigators are required to do.
“The pressure for answers does not change what the work requires.”
Addressing widespread speculation surrounding the case, McIlrath acknowledged both the volume of discussion and the amount of misinformation circulating online.
“There’s a lot of information out there, and there is a heck of a lot of misinformation out there.”
She also sought to reassure the public that investigators are asking the same questions citizens continue to raise.
“When the public ask, ‘What about this?’ or ‘Have they looked at that?’ or ‘Did they think about this?’ The answer is yes.”
Protecting the Process
McIlrath said withholding investigative details is not intended to shield information from the public but to ensure the integrity of the investigation and the grand jury process.
“If we sacrifice the integrity of the process in effort to satisfy today’s questions, we risk undermining the confidence in tomorrow’s answers.”
She concluded by saying Wells’ family, friends, and loved ones remain in her prayers.
The investigation into Wells’ death remains active. No official determination regarding the manner or cause of death has been publicly released by state investigators.
