Rep.Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Mississippi's sole Black U.S.congressman, has called for federal intervention in the investigation of 18-year-old Nolan Wells' death after an independent autopsy failed to determine the cause.Wells went missing on July 4 during a boat trip to Horn Island and was found facedown near the shoreline two days later.The private autopsy noted discoloration in the occipital region, leaving the cause of death undetermined.

Thompson expressed skepticism about the local authorities' handling of the case, citing Mississippi's history of racial tensions and concerns about the thoroughness of the investigation.He emphasized the need for transparency, noting discrepancies between the initial and second autopsies.

While local officials classify the death as an accidental drowning, Thompson argues that the lack of public information and the absence of active FBI involvement in the case raise red flags.The congressman, who chaired the Select Jan.6 Committee, urged federal authorities to take over the investigation, stating that the family and the nation deserve clarity.The case has sparked national attention, highlighting broader concerns about racial justice and systemic issues in local law enforcement.