Nolan Wells’ mysterious death: Five things to know as family prepares for independent autopsy, seeks ‘thorough’ investigation
family nolan An independent autopsy will be conducted into the unexplained death of Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old man from Mississippi. Attorney Ben Crump revealed more information about the events that occurred the day Wells disappeared.

Crump called him “a good kid” in an interview with ABC News’ Lindsay Davis.
“He was well-loved. He was a college athlete. He had it all. So to go to that island … and not come back is the concern.”
Nolan Xavier Wells plans independent autopsy: 5 things to know after death
- Wells was reported missing on July 4 after he and his high school friends took a boat trip to the famous, undeveloped Horn Island, located south of Ocean Springs. mississippiaccording to officials and Crump. The area is only accessible by private boat and does not provide facilities, drinking water or staff. “[The friends] left [Horn Island] “It’s our understanding that he chose to stay there,” Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said.
- A body believed to be Wells’ was found Monday, according to officials. Jackson said an acquaintance of Wells who was boating to Horn Island on July 4 was the first person to report Wells missing. county Sheriff John Ledbetter spoke to ABC News on Thursday.
- This friend contacted coast guard Ledbetter noted that around 11 p.m. In another incident, Wells’ mother called the Sheriff’s Office around midnight on July 5 to inquire about her son.
- Authorities said they believe Wells drowned and do not suspect any foul play. However, the Sheriff’s Office emphasized Wednesday that investigators are “working to determine exactly what happened.”
- Crump said investigators are still notifying family members and “have not seen any evidence of foul play,” despite the fact that students recorded the confrontation on the boat. He described the altercation as “Nolan and someone yelling at each other on the boat.”
Lawyer reveals Nolan’s family’s statement
According to Crump, Wells’ friend took the teen’s cellphone with him when he left horn island. He noted that when Wells’ family got his phone back, some of the messages had been deleted.
Crump also noted that Wells’ father called the 18-year-old college football player “an elite athlete.”
According to his father, Nolan knew how to swim and they were not willing to accept the fact that he accidentally drowned.
Crump said an independent autopsy will be conducted at washington d.c.
The Sheriff’s Office stressed Wednesday that the investigation is ongoing and encouraged anyone who was on or near the northwest tip of Horn Island to come forward with any photos or videos, “especially those depicting the alleged altercation or images that include or are believed to include Nolan Wells.”
Meanwhile, Nolan’s mother, Christine Wonsley, told “Good Morning America” on Friday, “We just want honesty and transparency. We want a thorough investigation. We want to give the same respect that anyone else would have, and that’s it. We just want answers.”