Christine and Elmore Wonsley said Friday they want a thorough, transparent investigation into why 18-year-old Nolan Wells was found dead on Horn Island two days after a July 4 boat trip.
An independent autopsy is already underway in Washington, and the family plans to use experts to recover deleted phone messages while awaiting official Mississippi autopsy results that could take weeks.
Ben Crump challenged the sheriff's view that Wells chose to stay behind, saying Wells' friends had his phone and keys, video appears to show him asking for his phone back, and another witness said he planned to leave with them.
About 200 people were on the uninhabited island 7 miles off Mississippi's coast, and the family is urging witnesses to submit videos as the case draws scrutiny shaped by distrust of local authorities and Mississippi's racial history.
A college athlete and strong swimmer is found drowned. Why do local police suspect a simple accident?
His phone was found with his friends, messages deleted. What secrets could digital forensic experts now reveal?
The Death of Nolan Wells: Unanswered Questions, Racial Tensions, and the $380,000 Fight for Justice on Horn Island
Overview
The investigation into the death of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells remains active as of July 10, 2026, after his body was found on an island off the Mississippi coast. Identified by his parents, authorities are focused on uncovering the circumstances of his passing, with the official cause of death still pending autopsy results. The sheriff’s office has appealed to the public for any information or evidence from Horn Island, especially regarding possible altercations. This ongoing search for answers highlights the urgency and complexity of the case, as both officials and the community seek clarity and justice.