Three friends of Nolan Wells plan to visit Horn Island, the Mississippi barrier island where the 18-year-old was found dead, to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. Warren Hudson, Wells' self-proclaimed best friend, along with Jax Pitalo and Morgan Seymour, will travel to the island on Friday. Their attorneys, J Tyler Cox and Edward Andrew Paltzik, will escort them. The visit is intended to help the friends understand the "layout and dynamics" of the area, rather than to gather evidence, according to their legal team.
Paltzik, who has represented President Donald Trump in legal matters, stated his need to "lay eyes on the island himself." The attorneys emphasized their clients' innocence, asserting they had "nothing whatsoever" to do with Wells' death and vowing to hold accountable those who make false claims. "Starting today, those who wish to continue trafficking in lies about these Good Ocean Springs People will be held accountable to the maximum extent of the law," the attorneys said in a joint statement.
Wells, a student at Southwest Mississippi Community College, disappeared on July 4 while celebrating with a group of friends on Horn Island, located about 10 miles off the Mississippi Gulf Coast. His body was recovered two days later near where he was last seen. The case has drawn national attention, with questions about the events leading to his death fueling discussions about racial violence in Mississippi, as Wells was the only Black person on the boat.
Some accounts suggest Wells stayed behind after meeting a young woman, identified as 19-year-old Katie McCormack, who believed he would rejoin the group. However, Wells' parents have publicly challenged these accounts, stating their son would not have separated from his companions. McCormack stated she believed Wells would return to the boat.
Authorities initially suggested Wells died by drowning, with Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter reporting no immediate evidence of foul play. An official autopsy has been completed but not yet released, and the findings will be presented to a grand jury. An independent autopsy commissioned by the family listed the manner and cause of death as undetermined, though it noted a "red discoloration" on the back of Wells' skull that warrants further investigation.
Wells' parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley, have sought answers through media interviews and legal channels. In July, their legal team issued subpoenas to social media companies, including Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok, seeking records from Wells' accounts. The family hopes to find deleted messages, photos, and GPS location data that could shed light on his final moments. Christine Wonsley reported discovering deleted text and Snapchat messages after recovering her son's phone.
In connection with the investigation, several individuals have been arrested on federal charges for allegedly threatening witnesses. Edward James Porter of Berwyn, Illinois, was recently charged with making threats via phone calls and text messages to witnesses and their families involved in the case.