The family of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old who was found dead on Horn Island, Mississippi, two days after a Fourth of July boating excursion, has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Authorities stated they do not suspect foul play and believe Wells chose to remain on the island while his friends returned to the mainland.
New audio obtained from a 911 call made by Wells' friends reveals a calm demeanor as they reported their boat was taking on water and sinking. "Hey we're at the west tip of Horn, and our bilge pump stopped working," a male voice is heard stating. "We're sinking can y'all please come."
While authorities initially suggested drowning as the cause of death, no official cause has been released. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Wells' friends possessed his phone at the time of his death. His family has alleged that messages and other data may have been deleted from the device, and the phone is slated for review by officials and independent experts.
Crump, who has represented high-profile families in legal cases, has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Wells' death. The family's legal team is demanding a thorough investigation. Crump has shared social media posts suggesting Wells may have been at a land-based pool party before his death, casting doubt on the established timeline. One such post included an image of a group of young people at a pool party, with a figure circled in red, alleged to be Wells. This photograph has not been independently verified.
Wells' mother, Christine Wonsley, recounted her son's last words to her on July 4th, stating he said, "Hey, mom, I'm about to go, love you." He had reportedly spent the night at a friend's house before the group departed for Horn Island the following morning.
In addition to the 911 call and the pool party photo, authorities are also investigating a video that reportedly shows a heated argument on the beach, where Wells can allegedly be heard demanding his phone back. Wells' body was transported to Washington, D.C., for an independent autopsy at the family's request. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist Wells' family with funeral expenses and other support.