Tragic highschool soccer star Nolan Wells was left behind by his associates on Horn Island after their boat skilled an issue with the bilge pump, in accordance with a decide who’s the mom of one in all Wells’ buddies.
The 18-year-old Wells vanished throughout a Fourth of July boat journey with buddies Saturday, and his physique was later discovered Monday morning.
Wells was final seen round 3 p.m. Saturday “speaking to a woman” on the north finish of Horn Island, a preferred barrier island about 10 miles off the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Division mentioned.
His household have mentioned there are “too many unanswered questions” about what occurred and have retained civil rights lawyer Ben Crump to characterize them.
Ashlee Cole, a decide in Jackson County, confirmed in an announcement that her son was among the many kids who had been with Wells on the boat journey the day he went lacking.
Cole took to Fb to disclaim any suggestion her household has been attempting to “hamper” the household’s “quest for solutions.”
She mentioned her son had been interviewed by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Division and “cooperated absolutely”.
“He noticed Nolan final at round 3 p.m. on July 4th,” Cole wrote.
“They left round 4:30 pm when the boat was taking up water and so they had a difficulty with the bilge pump.
“Nolan decided to remain on the island and return inland later with one other group of associates.”
Cole mentioned that she had graduated highschool with Wells’ mother Christine Wells-Wonsley and that her household’s “ideas and prayers are with Nolan’s household”.
Police are additionally reportedly investigating a video which allegedly exhibits a heated argument earlier than Wells went lacking.
The viral clip circulated on-line seems to seize an “intense” argument close to the shoreline, however authorities haven’t confirmed whether it is genuine or whether or not any of the individuals in it have been with Wells.
Observe The Submit’s protection on the loss of life of Nolan Wells:
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter appealed in an announcement Tuesday for anybody who “noticed or heard an argument, disturbance, or different uncommon exercise whereas on the island that day” to return ahead.
In the meantime, Jackson County coroner Bruce Lynd Jr. advised The Submit that the health worker’s workplace had been in a position to establish Wells’ physique Tuesday based mostly on dental data.
“A autopsy was carried out Tuesday however we don’t have any outcomes from the health worker’s workplace on that as of but,” Lynd Jr. advised The Submit.
“It could possibly be just a few weeks as a result of they’re doing toxicology and all of these issues.”
Saying he had been retained by Wells’ household Tuesday afternoon, legal professional Crump mentioned the large receiver for Southwest Mississippi Neighborhood School would have turned 19 subsequent month.
“His household deserves solutions,” Crump wrote on X. “They deserve the reality.
“We is not going to relaxation till each reality about what occurred to Nolan on Horn Island is introduced into the sunshine, and we name on investigators to pursue this case with the urgency and transparency this household deserves.”
Photographs of the 6-foot-1,180-pound teen confirmed him shirtless whereas sporting blue swim trunks, sun shades and grinning alongside his associates earlier than he went lacking.
The United Cajun Navy rescue group launched aerial reconnaissance in the course of the search to scour the waters between Horn Island and Ship Island, stretching south to the Chandelier Islands.
The Coast Guard, Mississippi Division of Marine Assets, and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Division additionally assisted within the frantic search earlier than Wells’ physique was discovered.
