Nolan Wells, a Mississippi teenager, was found dead on Horn Island on July 6, two days after he went missing during a Fourth of July boat trip with friends. The Jackson County Sheriff's Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
Brian Trasher, vice president of the United Cajun Navy, a search and rescue organization, confirmed that Wells' body was discovered by a National Park Service ranger. His organization joined the search after being contacted on social media.
"The wind and drift patterns tell a story," Trasher stated, indicating that the location where Wells' body was found suggests he did not travel far from where he was last seen. "The working theory is that he drowned," he added, noting that there is no evidence to support speculation that Wells was intentionally left on the island.
The United Cajun Navy utilized boats and aircraft in their search efforts. "We were in the air about two hours before we noticed the activity on the beach," Trasher said. "We were searching where the wind and drift patterns were taking the current."
Wells' family has retained attorney Ben Crump to represent them and is calling for a thorough and transparent investigation.
The official cause of death has not yet been released by authorities. The Jackson County Sheriff's Department is appealing to the public for any information related to the case.