The family of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Black teenager, is collaborating with local prosecutors to investigate his cellphone contents following his tragic death. Wells went missing during a boat trip off the Mississippi coast on July 4. His mother, Christine Wonsley, reported him missing after midnight on July 5. Rescuers found his body in the waters near Horn Island the next day.
Wells’ phone was located in the evening of July 4 at the home of one of his friends. It was tracked using a locator app. The family noticed that some messages were deleted before they retrieved the phone. This raised concerns about the circumstances and investigation of Wells’ death.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department announced last week that no foul play was suspected but requested more information from the public. The results of an official autopsy are pending. Meanwhile, the family has enlisted Ben Crump, a trial lawyer and civil rights advocate known for representing families in racially charged cases, to push for transparency. Crump and the family noted that, based on photos and videos from the July 4 event on the island, Wells was one of the few Black individuals there among nearly 200 attendees.
An important meeting occurred on Wednesday with District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath to discuss the investigation. Crump reported that McIlrath agreed to bring the investigation before a grand jury upon completion. He emphasized the need for a fair review, stating, “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 highlighted the necessity of questioning all aspects of the case, including the roles of various parties involved, due to the lived experiences of Black individuals in America.
Christine Wonsley shared on Facebook that her son’s funeral is scheduled for July 20. She requested that attendees remain peaceful and confirmed that security would be present for the funeral and repass.
This story is developing. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.