The family of an 18-year-old Mississippi college student found dead following a Fourth of July weekend boat excursion has enlisted the services of prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump as authorities continue investigating the circumstances of the young man's death.
Nolan Xavier Wells' body was discovered Monday, July 6, 2026, off the coast of Horn Island, Mississippi, where he had last been seen with a group of friends Saturday afternoon, according to officials. The discovery came after Wells traveled by boat with friends to the island on Saturday but did not return with them that afternoon.
In a statement released Tuesday, Crump emphasized the family's determination to uncover the full truth about the events leading to Wells' death. "We will not rest until every fact about what happened to Nolan on Horn Island is brought into the light, and we call on investigators to pursue this case with the urgency and transparency this family deserves," the attorney stated.
Wells' mother reported him missing Saturday night after he failed to return from the island excursion. A rescue team located his body the following morning, according to the family. An autopsy was scheduled to be completed Tuesday.
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter confirmed that Wells' friends are cooperating with the ongoing investigation. "From the people we've talked to, it sounds like he chose to stay on the island with the assumption that he was going to ride back to the mainland with someone else," Ledbetter told The Associated Press.
The young man, who would have turned 19 next month, was a student at Southwest Mississippi Community College, where he played wide receiver on the football team. His athletic pursuits and academic endeavors had marked him as a promising young person with a future ahead of him.
In a social media post, Wells' mother, Christine Wonsley, appealed to the public for any videos or other documentation from the island that might shed light on her son's final hours. "My heart is broken for our sweet son who was always willing to cheer and uplift others," she wrote. "Nolan was a special soul, God took his time creating our son."
Crump, a nationally recognized attorney who has represented families in numerous high-profile civil rights cases, was also recently retained by the family of a Mississippi 1-year-old who was killed when police fired into a moving car. His involvement in the Wells case signals the family's intent to pursue a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death.
Horn Island, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, is an uninhabited barrier island accessible only by boat. The island attracts visitors for fishing, camping, and recreation, but its remote location and lack of facilities can present challenges for those unfamiliar with its terrain.
As the investigation continues, authorities have not released additional details about the specific circumstances of Wells' death or what may have led to his decision to remain on the island. The completion of the autopsy is expected to provide crucial information that may help investigators piece together the events of that Saturday afternoon and evening.
