A leader with the United Cajun Navy has raised concerns about the dangerous rip currents in the waters near Horn Island, Mississippi, suggesting they may have played a role in the disappearance and death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells.

Wells vanished on July 4 after a boat trip with friends to Horn Island, a barrier island off the Mississippi coast. His remains were found two days later, on July 6, by a National Park Service ranger on the island's northwestern tip. Authorities have stated that foul play is not suspected in the incident.

Brian Trascher, Vice President of the United Cajun Navy, told Fox News Digital that the area between Horn Island and neighboring Ship Island is known locally as the 'washing machine' due to its powerful and deadly rip currents. He noted that water conditions on July 4 were unfavorable, with rip currents being "extremely strong."

According to Trascher, the waters off the island's northwest tip can rapidly transition from shallow to deep, posing a significant risk even to experienced swimmers, especially if factors like panic, sun exposure, or alcohol are involved.

Wells' friends returned to the mainland without him on the afternoon of July 4. His mother was reportedly informed of his disappearance later that night by one of the friends, after which she contacted authorities. Investigators believe Wells may have initially chosen to remain on the island.

Trascher pointed to a significant gap in the timeline between when Wells was last seen, around 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. on July 4, and when his body was discovered. He described this period as a "gaping hole" that requires further explanation, noting the absence of eyewitness accounts or photographic evidence of Wells after that time, despite it not being dark and other people being on the island.

An independent autopsy revealed a "red discoloration" on Wells' head, but the forensic pathologist could not determine a definitive cause or manner of death, pending further investigation. An official autopsy has not yet been completed.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden commented that such a head injury does not necessarily indicate foul play and could result from impact with debris in the water or bumping into objects, either before or after death. He characterized the reported injury as superficial and potentially minor.

However, without additional information, the pathologist who performed the independent autopsy could not rule out the possibility that