The family of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump as authorities continue investigating the death of the Mississippi teenager, whose body was recovered near Horn Island after a two-day search over the Fourth of July weekend.
Crump announced July 7 that he represents Wells’ family and vowed to seek answers about the circumstances surrounding the Ocean Springs teen’s disappearance.
“Nolan Wells was a beloved son, teammate and friend who went out to celebrate the Fourth of July and never came home,” Crump said in a statement. “His family deserves answers. They deserve the truth. We will not rest until every fact about what happened to Nolan on Horn Island is brought into the light, and we call on investigators to pursue this case with the urgency and transparency this family deserves.”
Wells vanished July 4 after traveling with friends to Horn Island, a remote barrier island about 10 miles off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. The undeveloped island, managed by the National Park Service, is accessible only by private boat. His family reported him missing after he failed to return to the mainland.
Family Of Mississippi’s Nolan Xavier Wells Retains Attorney Ben Crump
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office coordinated a multiagency search with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, National Park Service personnel, the United Cajun Navy and community volunteers. On July 6, a National Park Service ranger discovered a body in waters near the island.
Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd said the body matched Wells’ description. Authorities continue DNA testing before making a formal identification. Investigators are also awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death.
Sheriff John Ledbetter has said investigators believe Wells remained on Horn Island after others in his group departed. Authorities continue interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence. A social media video shows an altercation on the island during the holiday weekend. Investigators have not confirmed whether that footage is connected to the case.
The investigation continues. Wells’ family is asking for privacy while seeking answers about what happened during his final hours on Horn Island.
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