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Authorities continue to investigate the mysterious death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells after he was found dead off the Mississippi coast.

Nolan Wells was found dead on July 6 after disappearing during a boating trip to Horn Island on July 4. While authorities suspect he drowned, the official cause of death remains undetermined as the state Medical Examiner's Office awaits toxicology results. A private autopsy commissioned by his family was also ruled inconclusive, though it noted a specific area of red discoloration on the back of his head. New documents from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources indicate that Nolan Wells had a heavy alcohol intake during the trip. Friends reported that he chose to remain on the island with an unknown female while the rest of the group returned to shore because their boat was taking on water. GPS data confirms the boat was stationary on the island from 11:14 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter stated there is no initial indication of foul play, and investigators are following standard procedures to reach a final conclusion.

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