Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick is helping Nolan Wells’ family in their search for answers by paying for an independent autopsy following the 18-year-old’s death in Mississippi.
During a Friday press conference, civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced that Kaepernick will cover the costs of an independent forensic examination, while filmmaker Tyler Perry has agreed to pay for Wells’ funeral expenses.
The Wells family requested an independent autopsy after expressing concerns about the official investigation into Nolan’s death. Authorities have said they have found no evidence of foul play and are awaiting the results of the state’s autopsy. However, the family and Crump have questioned that conclusion, citing inconsistencies in witness accounts and other unanswered questions surrounding the circumstances of Wells’ disappearance and death.
According to Crump, Nolan’s body has been transported to Washington, D.C., where an independent forensic pathologist with no ties to Mississippi law enforcement will conduct the examination. The family’s legal team is also pursuing an independent investigation while seeking to recover deleted data from Wells’ cellphone.
Kaepernick’s support comes through his longstanding commitment to justice initiatives. His organization has previously helped families obtain independent autopsies in cases where they questioned official findings.
Nolan Wells disappeared during a Fourth of July outing on Horn Island, off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. His body was recovered two days later. While investigators have indicated they currently do not suspect foul play, Wells’ family continues to call for a full, transparent investigation into what happened.
