Who is Ashley Cole? Screenshot of Nolan Wells’ friend’s stepmother goes viral, sparking debate; deceased teen’s mom faces questions
Brandon Tatum is a YouTuber and former police officer who recently delved into the issue. nolan wells During an interview with the teen’s friend, Warren Hudson, she shared a screenshot of a text message and claimed Wells’ mother “lied” by saying no parents contacted her after her son’s disappearance. A teenager from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, was found dead in the water on the northwest tip of Horn Island on Monday morning, July 6. Wells disappeared on July 4 after sailing to the island with friends. this The search for the teen has been called off Passed by a body found Monday, July 6, park rangers.

Hudson’s stepmother, Ashley Cole, shared a screenshot with Tatum, revealing that she contacted Wells’ mother.
“Newly shared text messages reveal Nolan Wells’ mother lied about not being contacted by any parents about her missing son. Warren Hudson’s stepmother Ashley Cole has exclusively shared a new text message showing she was in contact with Nolan Wells’ mother before he claimed no one had contacted her.” Tatum wrote onshare screenshots.
“Nolan’s mother later corrected herself on CNN,” he added.
The screenshot shows a text message sent to Wells’ mother, Christine Wansleyread, “Kristen, this is Ashley Cole. If, or when, you want to talk to me, here’s my phone number.”
Who is Ashley Cole?
Wells’ friend Tretin Shepherd previously told ABC and Rolling Stone that he and his friends received death threats during the investigation. Cole, a Chancery Court judge, faced criticism after briefly deactivating her social media accounts but later responded to Shepherd’s allegations.
Cole later issued a statement saying she did so to protect her family’s privacy. She also later shared screenshots of death threats she had received.
“We have decided not to speak to the media at this time,” she wrote on Facebook. “The media is not the appropriate forum to further elaborate on the facts of July 4, 2026. We realize the truth will not stop the calls for our little one’s death. We have not yet had the opportunity to speak with the Wells-Wonsley family or their attorneys. However, we are willing to communicate directly with attorney Ben Crump and the Wells-Wonsley family.”
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She added, “We will provide them with all the information we know so that the family can rest and grieve appropriately. We also want to know what happened to Nolan. We will do everything we can to assist Nolan’s family in finding answers.”
lawyer Ben CrumpA man who has been hired by Wells’ family said the young men who were on the boat with Wells have hired lawyers. Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said everyone is cooperating with the investigation.