The girl who Nolan Wells was reportedly speaking to before his disappearance has been identified, but this only deepens the mystery surrounding his death.
Wells, an 18-year-old, went to Horn Island, about 16 miles from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, on July 4 with friends. They left him there, as he wanted to talk to a girl named Katie McCormack, who is 19 years old, according to various reports.
Yet, her sister provided a different version of events compared to what Wells’ friends have said.
The young man had spent about five hours on the island celebrating Independence Day with fellow university students. As the afternoon wore on, his friends grew anxious when their boat started taking on water, prompting them to hurry back to shore.
According to Wells’ friends, he was so engaged in conversation with McCormack that he suggested they leave without him.
Ashley Cole, the mother of Wells’ best friend Warren Hudson, stated on July 7 that they returned because of issues with their boat’s bilge pump, but Wells did not join them.
Latest Updates on Nolan Wells’ Disappearance
However, Gracie, McCormack’s sister, disagrees with the narrative that Wells chose to stay behind for a chat with her.
She mentioned that McCormack believed Wells would board the boat with his friends.
“Katie was having a conversation and thought Nolan was getting ready to board his boat,” Gracie told the media.
She also said that McCormack, from east of Ocean Springs where Wells resided, was with a different group of friends but was later picked up by his brother Tony and fiancée, Eva Criddle.
Gracie further noted, “We provided his mother and authorities with whatever answers we could.” There’s no implication of any wrongdoing by McCormack.
Since Wells’ disappearance and subsequent death, McCormack has not given public statements but did respond online, expressing her support: “I love you all. I just pray for his family and friends.”
She mentioned, “I’m fine. All I can do is pray for their recovery. Overall, this is a terrible situation.”
Conflicting stories from individuals present on the island have raised concerns for Wells’ grieving family, leading them to seek the help of civil rights attorney Ben Crump for further investigation.
“She says he went and got on the boat. They say he didn’t get on the boat. So, which is it?” Crump has posed to reporters.
He further noted a disparity in accounts, saying, “A young woman said Nolan was going to the boat with the boys, while the boys claimed Nolan opted to stay with the girl.”
Wells’ body was found in the ocean near the island on July 6.
