PASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP) — A grand jury has found there wasn't evidence to bring charges in the death of Nolan Wells, a Black teen who was found dead after a July 4 boating trip off the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The decision announced late Monday by Angel Myers McIlrath, the district attorney overseeing Wells’ case, comes after months of intense speculation about how the 18-year-old disappeared from a bustling party and why the friends who ferried Wells to the island left without him.
The Jackson County grand jury found no evidence of criminal conduct and noted that examinations of his body by the Mississippi medical examiner’s office and an independent forensic pathologist hired by Wells’ family found the cause and manner of death to be undetermined.
“If credible evidence comes to light in the future that suggests Mr. Wells’ death was non-accidental, this matter should be represented to the Jackson County Grand Jury for further consideration,” the panel’s report said.
Lawyers for Wells’ family, including civil rights attorney Ben Crump, said the grand jury’s report leaves more questions than answers and accused the district attorney of ending the investigation without determining what caused blunt force trauma on the back of Wells’ head and body. They also renewed their request that the U.S. Department of Justice conduct an independent investigation and called on Myers McIlrath to release the full autopsy report by the medical examiner.
Crump, Wells' family and the NAACP planned a news conference Tuesday.
Wells disappeared while celebrating the Fourth of July with friends on Horn Island, an island off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. His body was discovered on the island’s northwestern tip two days after he was last seen.
Shortly after, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office officials said investigators did not suspect foul play, sparking widespread concerns about whether law enforcement would conduct a thorough investigation in a state with a brutal history of racism and civil rights violations. McIlrath repeatedly promised a fair and thorough investigation into his death.
Wells’ parents and their lawyers voiced suspicions after Wells’ friends left the island without him, saying he wanted to stay behind and talk to a girl. Wells’ phone was on the boat that took him to the island, which was later towed partway back to the mainland after taking on water.
Crump and Wells’ parents have cast doubt on why a teenager would choose to stay on an island without his phone. They also speculated that messages on his phone were tampered with and alleged his friends were reluctant to turn over his keys. Lawyers for Wells’ friends said the friends are cooperating with authorities.
The grand jury also debunked public assertions that Wells was the only Black person on Horn Island on July 4.
“These false assertions have led to misidentification, speculation and rumors concerning the death of Mr. Wells,” it said.
The report concluded with the panel expressing sympathy for Wells’ family. “The evidence received in this matter convinced the Grand Jury of Mr. Wells’ outstanding character,” it said.
FILE - A person holds a picture of Nolan Xavier Wells during a news conference at National Action Network headquarters, Friday, July 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)
MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 22, 2026--
Amazfit, a leading global smart wearable brand owned by Zepp Health, today announced the T-Rex Dual Solar, a premium expedition smartwatch built for long-distance and multi-day exploration. Launching on the autumnal equinox — a day defined by the balance of sunlight and darkness — the T-Rex Dual Solar is the world’s first AMOLED smartwatch featuring a dual-sided solar charging system, combining solar collection either through the display or through an innovative glass ceramic back plate.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260922588618/en/
T-Rex Dual Solar pairs up to 25 days of typical battery life with a bright, full-color AMOLED display, while solar energy recovery can extend battery life even further. For those who adventure at the edge of the map, solar offers something more: a way to bring a completely depleted watch back to life using sunlight when traditional power isn’t available, helping users regain access to essential functions like maps and route information.
“Outdoor watches have to work just as well in everyday life as they do when you’re miles from a power source,” said Sara Webster Wylie, VP of Global Marketing at Amazfit. “With T-Rex Dual Solar, we didn’t want users to have to choose between the bright, premium display they want every day and the battery endurance they need outdoors. Bringing AMOLED and solar together for the first time lets us deliver both."
Solar Power, From Both Sides
T-Rex Dual Solar uses two solar surfaces designed for different moments of an adventure:
A Safety Net Beyond the Grid
T-Rex Dual Solar pairs up to 25 days of typical battery life with a bright, full-color AMOLED display, while solar energy recovery can extend battery life even further. For those who adventure at the edge of the map, that added energy can help stretch time between traditional charges when access to power is limited.
“In the mountains, navigation is one of the most important safety tools you have," said Jost Kobusch, Amazfit athlete and alpinist. "The interesting thing about solar charging isn’t convenience, it’s having a genuine backup when you’re far from civilization. If I can rely on sunlight to keep my watch alive, I may not need to carry an additional power bank just for navigation. That saves weight and complexity. Especially at high altitude, where sunlight is abundant, having another source of power can make a real difference when you need to check your route in difficult conditions.”
Where conserving power is the priority, Outdoor Extreme battery mode reduces power consumption for extended adventures while keeping essential outdoor functions active, including GPS track points. The new Expedition activity mode takes advantage of this low-power setting to support multi-day trips and longer periods away from a charger.
Engineered for the Extreme
Built for demanding environments, T-Rex Dual Solar combines premium materials with tools designed for unpredictable conditions:
Go Beyond the Grid
T-Rex Dual Solar brings advanced navigation tools to the wrist:
The Intelligence Behind Every Adventure
The Zepp App brings training, recovery and outdoor activity data together in one place, with personalized insights designed to help users understand performance and prepare for what comes next — with no subscription required.
Pricing and Availability
The Amazfit T-Rex Dual Solar will be available beginning September 22, 2026, for $649.99 on Amazfit.com and Amazon.
About Amazfit
Amazfit is a global sports technology and smart wearables brand, part of Zepp Health (NYSE: ZEPP), a health technology company with its principal office in Gorinchem, the Netherlands. Zepp Health operates as a distributed global organization, with team members and offices across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and other markets.
Built for athletes and active people who train across disciplines, Amazfit develops performance wearables that connect endurance, strength, hybrid training, and recovery. Its products combine advanced sports technology with intelligent training and recovery insights to help people better understand their performance, train with purpose, and make meaningful progress over time.
Amazfit is powered by Zepp, the technology and intelligence platform behind its connected training experience. For more information, visit www.amazfit.com.
The Amazfit T-Rex Dual Solar is the world’s first AMOLED smartwatch featuring a dual-sided solar charging system, combining solar collection either through the display or through an innovative glass ceramic back plate.
