Warren Hudson, the self-described best friend of Nolan Wells, has broken his silence regarding rumors that place blame on him for the tragic death of the 18-year-old.
Hudson was on a boat trip with Wells on July 4th, which led to Wells' disappearance off the Mississippi coast near Horn Island. Wells was found dead two days later. Questions have been raised by Wells' parents and online commentators about why Wells was left behind and why his phone and keys were allegedly in the possession of friends.
"It's a sick world we're living in," Hudson told The Post. "It's terrible. Nolan was my best friend. There's no facts out, just a lot of rumors. That's just how the internet is today."
Ashlee Cole, Hudson's mother and a judge in Jackson County, stated that the friends returned to the mainland because of a problem with the boat's bilge pump. She added that Wells had chosen to stay on Horn Island and planned to return with another group. Cole denied accusations that her family was attempting to impede the investigation, confirming that her son had been interviewed by authorities and cooperated fully.
Hundreds gathered for Wells' funeral on July 20, 2026, where he was laid to rest in a closed casket. Notable attendees included director Spike Lee and former NFL star Terrell Owens. During the service, Wells' mother, Christine Wonsley, urged mourners to keep her son's memory alive.
Rev. Al Sharpton and filmmaker Tyler Perry have jointly offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Wells' death. Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens has since added $25,000 to the reward, bringing the total to $125,000.
Ben Crump, the attorney representing the Wells family, is expected to announce preliminary findings from an independent autopsy on Wednesday at the NAACP National Convention in Chicago.