The investigation into the death of Mississippi football player Nolan Wells has taken another turn after civil rights attorney Ben Crump shared a photo that he said could challenge parts of the timeline authorities have outlined so far. Wells, 18, was found dead on Horn Island, Mississippi, on July 6, two days after a Fourth of July boating trip with friends. While the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has said it does not suspect foul play, Wells’ family continues to push for answers. The newly shared image, which has not been independently verified, has added to the family’s concerns about what happened during the teenager’s final hours before his death.
Ben Crump points to unverified photo as questions grow in Nolan Wells investigation
On Sunday, Ben Crump reposted an Instagram post that claimed Nolan Wells may have attended a pool party in Jackson County after returning from Horn Island.The social media post included a photo showing several young people in a swimming pool. A person believed by online users to be Wells was circled in the background. However, the individual’s face is not visible, and the image has not been verified by law enforcement or independent investigators.In the repost, the original account stated that no official confirmation had been provided and described the information as social media allegations rather than established facts.The photo matters because authorities have previously said Wells was left behind on Horn Island after a boating trip with friends. According to investigators, his friends returned to the mainland while Wells remained on the island. His body was later discovered on the island’s northwestern tip after his mother reported him missing on July 5.Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter has said investigators do not currently suspect foul play. Authorities initially believed Wells may have drowned, although an official cause of death has not yet been released.
Nolan Wells family cites missing phone content and conflicting accounts
During a press conference in New York City on Friday, Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, spoke publicly about her son’s final conversation with her before he left home.“He told me, ‘Hey, mom, I’m about to go, love you,’” she said.Wonsley recalled that they had shared a meal together before he left to spend the night with friends ahead of the boating trip.The family has since raised several concerns about the investigation. One issue involves Wells’ cellphone. Wonsley said she was surprised to find no photos or videos from the day of the trip when she accessed his Snapchat account.“When we opened it up, there was nothing. There were no saved pictures. There were no snaps from that day,” she said.She explained that Wells regularly took photos and videos at social gatherings, making the absence of content unusual in her view.Crump has also pointed to what he described as conflicting accounts surrounding Wells’ movements before he disappeared. According to the family’s legal team, a girl Wells had reportedly been communicating with believed he was returning to the boat. That account differs from statements indicating Wells chose to stay behind on the island.Investigators are also reviewing a video that reportedly captured an argument on the beach. According to reports, a voice believed to be Wells can be heard saying, “Give me my freaking phone, what are you freaking doing?”Meanwhile, Wells’ body is being transported to Washington, D.C., for an independent autopsy requested by the family. The family also plans to hire experts to recover potential deleted data from his phone before it is handed over to investigators.As authorities continue their investigation, Wells’ family says they are still searching for a clear picture of what happened during the teenager’s final hours.
