Nolan Wells’ family says a newly surfaced video and missing content from the teenager’s cellphone have deepened their doubts about what happened before the 18 year old college football player was found dead after a Fourth of July trip to Mississippi’s Horn Island.

Wells, a wide receiver at Southwest Mississippi Community College, disappeared during a boating trip with friends on July 4. He was last seen around 3 p.m. near the north end of Horn Island, where witnesses reportedly said he was talking with a young woman. After an extensive search, his body was discovered in the water on July 6 and later identified through dental records.

While investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding his death, Wells’ family says several details do not add up, particularly involving his cellphone.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the family, revealed that a video of interest appears to capture Wells arguing with others shortly before he disappeared.

“In this video, you can hear an argument where Nolan is saying, ‘Give me my freaking phone. What are you freaking doing?'” Crump said during an appearance on Good Morning America alongside Wells’ parents.

Crump questioned claims that Wells willingly left his phone behind before staying on the island.

“No young person leaves their cellphone,” he said.

After the family eventually recovered the device, Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, said something immediately caught her attention. She claimed both of her son’s Snapchat accounts had been completely cleared, despite the fact that Snapchat photos and videos normally remain available for up to 24 hours.

“When we finally got his phone, me and my sister went through the phone,” Wonsley recalled. “We went into his Snapchat. He had two accounts. Absolutely nothing.”

She said the discovery felt highly unusual because her son regularly shared photos and videos whenever he was out with friends.

“I’ve seen Nolan whenever he Snaps. Like when he goes and he’s having fun, he does videos,” she said. “There was absolutely nothing. Even my sister said, ‘That’s suspicious.'”

The missing Snapchat activity has become another unanswered question as investigators continue reviewing the events leading up to Wells’ disappearance.

Meanwhile, questions also remain about why Wells was left behind on the remote barrier island.

Ashlee Cole, the mother of one of Wells’ friends, said the group left around 4:30 p.m. after their boat developed mechanical problems, including taking on water because of a malfunctioning bilge pump. According to Cole, Wells chose to stay behind and planned to return to the mainland later with another group.

“Nolan made a decision to stay on the island and return inland later with another group of friends,” Cole wrote in a Facebook statement.

However, Wells’ family has struggled to accept that explanation, saying it does not match his personality or habits.

Seeking more answers, the family has flown Wells’ body from Mississippi to Washington, D.C., for an independent autopsy. Crump said former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick is covering the cost of the examination.

“We will not rest until every fact about what happened to Nolan on Horn Island is brought into the light,” Crump wrote on X. “We call on investigators to pursue this case with the urgency and transparency this family deserves.”

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the investigation remains active as detectives continue working to determine exactly what happened during Wells’ final hours. Authorities have not announced an official cause of death or identified any suspects, and no criminal charges have been filed