Story perspectives

Ben Crump Releases Forensic Cellphone Analysis in Nolan Wells Case

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 5:23 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. attorney Ben Crump released a forensic analysis of Nolan Wells’ cellphone on Thursday.
Mississippi grand jury declined to recommend charges, stating the death was consistent with drowning.
Family attorney Liza Park said autopsies found no water in Wells’ lungs, stomach or throat.
Mother Christine Wonsley and Crump demanded an independent U.S. Justice Department investigation.
The family also requested public release of the grand jury report and the official autopsy.

History

Historical Context

In August 2014, the shooting of Michael Brown by Officer Darren Wilson ignited Ferguson unrest, revealing a police department where 48 of 53 officers were white in a two-thirds Black city. A March 2015 DOJ civil-rights report found a pattern of constitutional violations. Ben Crump and the Wells family’s federal probe request now mirrors that oversight.

1 of 2

Story summary

U.S. attorney Ben Crump released a forensic analysis of Nolan Wells’ cellphone on Thursday.
Mississippi grand jury declined to recommend charges, stating the death was consistent with drowning.
Family attorney Liza Park said autopsies found no water in Wells’ lungs, stomach or throat.
Mother Christine Wonsley and Crump demanded an independent U.S. Justice Department investigation.
The family also requested public release of the grand jury report and the official autopsy.

1 / 2