The Unanswered Questions in the Death of Nolan Wells

Written and Researched By: Skylar Smith

Nolan Wells went on a boating trip with three friends who were white to Horn Island, Mississippi, on July 4th before being reported as missing. From what we know, he was last seen at 3 pm on July 4th. 

After two days of searching, with the assistance of the Department of Marine Resources, the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the United States Coast Guard, his body was found the morning of July 6th. 

Wells' attorney, Ben Crump, a renowned defense attorney, questioned why Nolan’s body would come to float two days after he allegedly went missing: “He went missing on July 4th, and they say his body should have been there on July 5th. Why would it not appear until July 6th?" Crump said. "That's one of those things that's just not adding up." (Ben Crump) 

Immediately, once the case came to light, Wells’ so-called friends who took him on the trip all lawyered up; one of the friends also had a parent who was a local judge. 

Nolan Wells went on a boating trip with three friends who were white to Horn Island, Mississippi, on July 4th before being reported as missing. From what we know, he was last seen at 3 pm on July 4th. 

After two days of searching, with the assistance of the Department of Marine Resources, the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the United States Coast Guard, his body was found the morning of July 6th. 

Wells' attorney, Ben Crump, a renowned defense attorney, questioned why Nolan’s body would come to float two days after he allegedly went missing: “He went missing on July 4th, and they say his body should have been there on July 5th. Why would it not appear until July 6th?" Crump said. "That's one of those things that's just not adding up." (Ben Crump) 

Immediately, once the case came to light, Wells’ so-called friends who took him on the trip all lawyered up; one of the friends also had a parent who was a local judge. 

Throughout the duration of the case, Wells' attorney has received evidence that it all ultimately doesn’t add up. Inconsistencies make the evidence unclear and prevent authorities from finding suspects. 

Due to a mistrust of Mississippi law enforcement, the Wells family, with the help of Ben Crump, chose to conduct an independent autopsy in Washington, D.C., by a doctor with no ties to Mississippi.

Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter has said his investigation remains active, and both he and Wells’ family have asked anyone with firsthand information to come forward.

On Wednesday, July 22nd, Nolan Wells’ independent autopsy resulted in an ‘undetermined’ cause and manner of death.

The most interesting aspect of the autopsy was that the report appeared to have gaps because of what Crump said were missing body parts and incomplete procedures. 

Quoted by NBC News: “In the autopsy report presented by Crump, Mitchell noted that parts of Wells’ throat were not in his body when it was received for review.”

The purpose of the independent autopsy was to at least get a slight clue as to what could have happened to Nolan. This only revealed more questions than answers in this case. 

Summary of what we know so far:

The Nolan Wells case has drawn national attention due to troubling inconsistencies and deep mistrust of Mississippi’s justice system. On July 4th, Wells, a young Black man, went boating with three white friends near Horn Island before being reported missing. His body was found two days later, raising questions about the timeline and circumstances of his death. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the Wells family, pointed out that the body’s delayed appearance and unclear evidence don’t align with official accounts.

Suspicion grew when Wells’ friends quickly hired lawyers, one being the child of a local judge, and when evidence about his belongings and final interactions failed to add up. The family ordered an independent autopsy in Washington, D.C., which returned an “undetermined” cause of death and noted missing body parts, deepening public concern.

The Wells family continues to seek answers, urging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation remains active.

Legal Intern Skylar Smith 

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