[Rockingham]

Due to a lack of definitive forensic tests, drowning is considered a diagnosis of exclusion. The ME thus has to exclude other possible causes of death, such as heart attack, stroke, drugs, alcohol, trauma, and so on. As essentially negative lab results from tests for those come in, the conclusion of death by drowning based on the circumstances will emerge as the cause of death.

The manner of death can then be assessed. In the absence of evidence of suicide or intentional harm by others, accidental drowning is near certain to become the final autopsy determination, with alcohol or drugs as a possible contributing factor. The discoloration on the back of the head is most likely to be due to accidental post-mortem abrasion as Wells' friends moved his body and desperately tried to revive him.

Once the autopsy is final and withstands scrutiny, Ben Crump will move on, with a cut of the take from the Go Fund Me campaign in his pocket. The ill will that Crump stoked will fade over time.

[dennisw]

“accidental drowning is near certain to become the final autopsy determination, with alcohol or drugs as a possible contributing factor.”

He was an athlete and a decent swimmer. He was done in by drinking (weed?) then getting caught in strong currents while it was dark outside (my guess) His body was found where the currents are strong.

[Williams]

Wouldn’t there be water in the lungs to confirm the drowning?
Do we know anything about his friends finding and trying to revive him?
It seems I’ve heard zero about him being found or any other circumstances.

This independent ME was unusual (to me) because reading about it the examiner was saying most of the organs including the brain and stomach had been removed in the official autopsy and more info would have to come from those test results.
Also that the body had decomposed. So it seemed this ME had very limited value.