A Mississippi judge has offered an explanation for why her son left a teenage football player behind on Horn Island before the friend drowned, citing a boat taking on water.
Ashlee Cole, mother of Warren Hudson, stated that her son and his friends departed Horn Island around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday because their vessel had a mechanical issue. According to Cole, Nolan Xavier Wells, 18, decided to stay on the island and wait for another group of friends to return later.
Wells never made it back to the mainland, and his mother reported him missing early Sunday. His body was discovered on the northwestern tip of the island on Monday. Authorities are not suspecting foul play and believe the teen drowned, pending an autopsy.
"Nolan made a decision to stay on the island and return inland later with another group of friends," Cole said in a statement. She added, "Our son, Warren, loved Nolan dearly."
Cole, a Chancery Court Judge, has faced criticism for deleting her social media accounts after Wells was found. She explained this action was to protect her children's privacy and safety, not an attempt to conceal information.
The Wells family has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Crump stated, "His family deserves answers. They deserve the truth. We will not rest until every fact about what happened to Nolan on Horn Island is brought into the light."
Wells was a college football player for Southwest Mississippi Community College and previously played for Ocean Springs High School. His former coaches and college president expressed sorrow over his death, remembering him as a respected and beloved individual.
A GoFundMe campaign established to assist with funeral expenses has raised nearly $300,000. The description on the fundraiser highlights Wells' character, stating, "His smile, kind heart, and love for others left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him."