Family of Nolan Xavier Wells Retains Civil Rights Attorney After Disappearance
The family of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells, who vanished following a boat trip on the Fourth of July, is enlisting the help of a well-known civil rights attorney. They are seeking answers regarding his disappearance and death.
Wells’ body was found on Monday near Horn Island, which is roughly ten miles off the Mississippi coast. This location is close to where he was reportedly last seen on Saturday afternoon, speaking with a girl.
The Jackson County Coroner’s Office confirmed his identity using dental records on Tuesday afternoon. Reports indicate that the authorities suspect he may have drowned, though the investigation is ongoing and an autopsy result could take weeks.
Attorney Ben Crump expressed the family’s desire for clarity regarding the circumstances of Wells’ death. He stated, “Nolan Wells was a beloved son, teammate, and friend who left to celebrate Independence Day and never returned. His family deserves answers. They deserve the truth.” Crump also emphasized the importance of law enforcement treating this case with urgency and transparency.
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter mentioned that there’s no suspicion of corruption related to Wells’ death. However, there is an investigation into a viral video that allegedly depicts a “violent” altercation on the island, as first noted by TMZ. He urged anyone who might have witnessed any unusual activity on the island that day to come forward.
According to the sheriff, Wells’ friends departed from the island, leaving him behind after a day of celebrating. He was last seen around 3 p.m. His mother reported him missing later that night.
Photos of Wells, who stood 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 180 pounds, show him enjoying time with friends on a boat before he went missing.
Wells’ mother shared her heartbreak, stating, “I miss Nolan every second of every day.” She added, “This has been the worst time in our lives, and seeing his siblings grieve makes it all the more heartbreaking.”
