Nolan Wells’ family speaks publicly for first time since South MS teen’s death
Nolan Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, talked about her son’s death Friday during interviews with independent journalist Don Lemon and two national morning news shows.
Nolan Wells, 18, was reported missing after he didn’t return home from a trip to Horn Island with friends on the Fourth of July. Wells, who was Black, went to the island with three white friends.
The friend returned to shore without Wells. Wells’ body was found Monday on the northwestern tip of Horn Island.
Since then, speculation about the death has spread on social media, prompting Jackson County Sheriff Ledbetter to urge the public to call investigators only with firsthand information, including original videos and photos from the island that day. He said the case remains under investigation.
The State Medical Examiner’s Office in Mississippi performed an autopsy on Wells this week, but the results are pending.
Crump’s office had Wells’ body flown to Washington, D.C., for an independent autopsy.
Crump said early-on that Wells parents were frustrated because investigators have not told them whether they believe foul play was involved in their son’s death.
He said the family’s primary concern is ensuring investigators conduct a thorough investigation.
“They’re not telling the family anything about whether it was foul play or not, and so that’s why the family is so desperate for answers because they’re saying, ‘We don’t want you to just wrap up this investigation and say, “Oh, well, it was just an accident,” and sweep it under the rug.’”
Crump said the Wells family has several concerns, including concerns about their son’s cellphone because of messages that had allegedly been deleted.
According to Crump, the three young men who returned from Horn Island had Wells’ cellphone with them. They have said Wells stayed behind to talk with a girl and another group of friends.
Wells’ mother tracked down her son’s phone using its location.
Since taking the case, Crump said his legal team has spent time interviewing family members, friends and others who were on Horn Island during the July 4 weekend.
Crump said the Wells’ family “are still in disbelief.”
“It’s like they are in a nightmare, and they can’t wake up,” he said.
This story was originally published July 12, 2026 at 3:38 PM.
