The family of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old who was discovered deceased on an island off the coast of Mississippi after being reported missing for several days, is actively seeking clarity regarding the events that led to his death. They have enlisted the services of civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
Wells was last seen on July 4 while on Horn Island, where he and friends had gone to celebrate Independence Day. His body was recovered on Monday after a comprehensive search operation involving numerous local, state, and federal entities, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, and the National Park Service.
According to Jackson County coroner Bruce Lynd, dental records confirmed the identity of the deceased as Wells. An autopsy was conducted on Tuesday, though the findings have yet to be publicly disclosed.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Crump emphasized the family’s need for answers regarding the circumstances surrounding Wells’ death. “Nolan Wells was a cherished son, teammate, and friend who went out to celebrate the Fourth of July and never returned. His family deserves answers and the truth,” Crump stated. “We will not stop until every detail regarding what transpired on Horn Island is revealed, and we urge investigators to handle this case with the urgency and transparency that the family deserves.”
Crump has also recently been retained by the family of a one-year-old from Mississippi who was killed when police fired into a moving vehicle.
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter reported that Wells traveled to Horn Island by boat with friends but did not return with them that same day. According to Crump’s office, he was last seen on the island around 3 p.m., and his mother filed a missing person report later that evening.
Ledbetter shared with The Associated Press that Wells’ friends are cooperating with the ongoing investigation. “From the information we’ve gathered, it appears he chose to remain on the island, expecting to return to the mainland with someone else,” he noted.
Wells, who would have celebrated his 19th birthday next month, was a student at Southwest Mississippi Community College, where he played as a wide receiver on the football team.
In a heartfelt social media post, his mother, Christine Wonsley, expressed her grief and mentioned that the family is seeking video footage and other documentation related to the island. “My heart is shattered for our precious son who always sought to uplift others,” she wrote. “Nolan was a unique individual, and God took his time to create our son.”
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has encouraged anyone who may have seen Wells or interacted with him on or around Horn Island during the time of his disappearance to come forward. They are particularly interested in “original, unedited photos and videos taken at the northwest tip of Horn Island,” where Wells’ body was discovered, especially those that might show alleged altercations or images of Wells.
They have also requested that anyone who noticed or heard any arguments, disturbances, or unusual occurrences on the island that day to reach out to their office.
Ledbetter previously mentioned to CBS News that investigators are working to identify the original source of a video that captures arguing in the background.
Brian Trascher, the national vice president of the United Cajun Navy, a volunteer group that aided in the search for Wells, stated that he was flying over Horn Island when Wells’ body was located. “They were establishing a tactical operations center on the beach,” he recounted. “Shortly thereafter, I received messages from my team on the ground indicating they had found who they believed to be Nolan.”
Anna Schecter contributed to this report.
