Attorneys for the family of a Black teenager, Nolan Wells, who went missing during a July Fourth boat trip to an island off the Mississippi coast, are now working closely with local prosecutors. They aim to examine the contents of his cellphone as part of the ongoing investigation into his death.
The family has expressed concerns that messages may have been erased from Wells’ phone before it was returned to them. This is just one of many troubling issues they’ve raised regarding the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and subsequent death.
Recently, they met with District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath to discuss the investigation process. Attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, stated that McIlrath assured them the findings would be presented to a grand jury once the investigation concludes.
“The hope is when this is presented to the grand jury, all relevant witnesses and evidence will be presented to them, so we can have a fair and impartial investigation into the death of Nolan Wells,” Crump said. “Our lived experiences tell us that we must question everything, everybody’s role, law enforcement’s role. That is the lived experience as Black people in America.”
In Mississippi, most felony cases are taken to a grand jury, which consists of 15 to 25 citizens. They listen to the evidence presented by the prosecutor and decide if there’s enough to issue an indictment, according to Ronald Rychlak, a law professor at the University of Mississippi.
Nolan had gone to the island with friends but did not return with them around 3 p.m. There are conflicting stories about whether he intended to stay on Horn Island, located about 7 miles offshore, to talk to someone or return with his friends.
The island is roughly 11 miles long and is known for being a party spot, especially during gatherings like the Fourth of July. Nolan’s mother reported him missing shortly after midnight on July 5, and the following day, rescue teams launched a search that ended with the recovery of his body near the island.
Online speculation regarding the circumstances of Nolan’s death has been rampant, fueled by Mississippi’s complex history with race relations. The family and their attorneys have noted that in photos and videos from the celebration, Wells was one of the few Black individuals present among nearly 200 attendees.
The Congressional Black Caucus has also weighed in, calling for an independent investigation into his death. Meanwhile, local authorities, including the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, have stated they do not suspect foul play. An autopsy is pending, and the investigation is still ongoing.
Both the family’s legal team and the sheriff’s department are encouraging anyone who witnessed events on the island or has video footage to come forward to assist in piecing together what happened before Wells’ tragic disappearance.
Nolan, who was set to celebrate his 19th birthday next month, was a student at Southwest Mississippi Community College and played as a wide receiver on the football team. His family is questioning why his friends would leave him behind while taking his keys and phone with them.
The family retrieved his phone from a friend’s home on the evening of July 4, using a locator app. They noted that although Nolan was an active Snapchat user, there were no posts or messages from the 24 hours leading up to when they got the phone back.
Ben Crump mentioned plans to hire an expert to recover data from the phone and social media platforms. He stated that their efforts will now proceed in collaboration with the prosecutor’s office.
Rychlak pointed out that it’s unusual for evidence to be shared between law enforcement and the victim’s family. However, he believes this cooperation could help expedite the investigation.
Nolan’s death has sparked a strong response within the Black community, with notable figures like actor Tyler Perry helping to cover funeral costs and Colin Kaepernick assisting with funding for an independent autopsy. Filmmaker Spike Lee has also shown support for the family.
Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, expressed her desire for Monday’s funeral to be a celebration of her son’s life. “He would not want us to be sitting around crying and eating, and so what we’re gonna do is kind of have a party to celebrate him,” she said.
