The family of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells has hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump following his death on Horn Island. Wells was found on July 6 after disappearing during a July 4 trip with friends. The move comes as investigators continue to examine the case.
Nolan Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old college student from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, traveled to Horn Island on July 4 for a Fourth of July celebration. He was reported missing around midnight on July 5 after the group returned without him. His body was recovered two days later near the western tip of the island.
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter stated that the group claimed Wells chose to stay on the island alone. The sheriff’s office does not suspect foul play at this time and is considering drowning as a possibility. An autopsy was scheduled for July 7.
Ben Crump released a statement on behalf of the family calling for a thorough investigation. “Nolan Wells was a beloved son, teammate and friend who went out to celebrate the Fourth of July and never came home,” Crump said. “His family deserves answers. They deserve the truth.”
A video circulating online shows an argument on the island that day, though it is unclear if it involves Wells. His mother, Christine Wonsley, has shared photos and messages on social media. Friends also recalled their last conversations with him.
