Nolan Wells Death: Ben Crump Says Blunt Force Trauma Needs Answers

Ben Crump -- the attorney for Nolan Wells' family -- says the biggest unanswered question in his death comes down to three words -- "blunt force trauma" -- and his family will continue fighting for answers.

Crump spoke Tuesday after a grand jury declined to pursue criminal charges ... pointing to unexplained injuries on the back of Nolan's head and his back.

He said Mississippi officials are leaving the family with "we'll never know" ... but Nolan's family has three words of its own -- "we'll never stop."

Crump says both the state's medical examiner and an independent autopsy noted bruising, while attorney Lisa Park said the independent exam found bleeding inside Nolan's head that experts believe occurred within four hours of his death.

Crump added the investigation should remain open until authorities determine what caused the blunt force trauma and whether it contributed to Nolan's death.

Nolan's mother, Christine Wonsley, also got emotional ... saying the handling of the case made her feel like her son's life didn't matter to the people meant to serve and protect.

As we reported ... the grand jury -- which was impaneled in April and featured 23 members -- found that the "position of, the condition of, time of discovery, and location of Mr. Wells' body is consistent with drowning."

Shortly after the grand jury decision, District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said in a video there is "absolutely no evidence" to support the claim that Nolan's death was "racially motivated."

Edward Andrew Paltzik, the attorney for Nolan's friends who went with him to Horn Island on the day he disappeared, told us ... "We said it all along: Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo, and Morgan Seymour were always completely innocent. There was never any doubt. They are terrific people."