Nolan Wells’ family is taking additional steps to uncover what happened to the 18 year old college football player after his body was found following his disappearance during a Fourth of July boating trip in Mississippi.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who now represents the Wells family, confirmed that Nolan’s body will be flown more than 800 miles to Washington, D.C., where an independent autopsy will be conducted. The examination is part of the family’s own investigation as they continue searching for answers about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Wells disappeared on July 5 while visiting Horn Island with a group of friends. Authorities said he was last seen around 3 p.m. talking with a young woman before he vanished. His body was recovered two days later near the island.
Although investigators believe Wells likely drowned and have said they do not currently suspect foul play, Crump says several details continue to trouble the family.
Among their biggest concerns are alleged deleted messages found on Nolan’s cellphone. According to Crump, Wells’ friends reportedly left Horn Island with his phone after he disappeared. When the device was later returned to his family, they noticed messages they believe had been erased.
“The family is trying to understand why there are deleted messages,” Crump said during an interview with ABC News. “That is very concerning to them.”
Crump also pointed to conflicting witness accounts about Wells’ final moments before he disappeared.
The young woman who was reportedly the last person seen speaking with Nolan told investigators he said he was returning to the boat after they talked. However, according to Crump, several of Wells’ friends claimed the teenager had told them he planned to remain on the island with the woman instead.
The attorney questioned how both accounts could be true, saying the conflicting stories only deepen the mystery surrounding the case.
Mississippi’s state medical examiner has already completed an autopsy, but officials have not yet released an official cause of death. Toxicology testing is still pending and could take several weeks.
Crump also questioned investigators’ early conclusion that there was no evidence of foul play, noting that videos circulating on social media appear to show Wells involved in an argument before he disappeared.
Meanwhile, Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter has asked anyone who witnessed an argument, disturbance, or any unusual activity on Horn Island that day to contact investigators as the case remains active.
Crump said the family requested an independent investigation because they want every possible question answered before reaching any conclusions.
As the investigation continues, Wells’ mother, Christine Woolsey, shared an emotional message remembering her son.
“Missing our Nolan so much every second of every day,” she wrote on Facebook. “This has been the worst time in our lives. Watching his siblings go through the motions of grief adds another layer to the sadness.”
A standout wide receiver at Southwest Mississippi Community College, Wells had been spending the holiday weekend with friends before his disappearance. His family says they remain committed to finding out exactly what happened during the final hours of his life.
