The United Cajun Navy, a volunteer search-and-rescue group that assisted in the recovery of 18-year-old Nolan Wells’ body, has publicly stated that it has never spoken with civil rights attorney Ben Crump — contradicting Crump’s assertions that the organization provided him with key details about the condition in which the teen was found.

Wells, a recent high school graduate and college football player from the Ocean Springs, Mississippi, area, disappeared on July 4, 2026, during a boat trip to Horn Island with friends. His body was recovered two days later. The family later retained Crump, who has raised questions about the circumstances of the death and commissioned an independent autopsy.

At a recent press appearance, Crump referenced information he said came from the United Cajun Navy, stating that Wells was found “face down and fully clothed.” The group has pushed back strongly against that characterization.

In a public statement on X (formerly Twitter), the United Cajun Navy wrote: “He [Crump] said UCN told ‘us’ Nolan was fully clothed — not true. We have never spoken with Crump, and we certainly didn’t tell the parents anything like that.” The organization clarified that Wells was wearing only swim trunks when discovered.

The dispute appears to stem in part from earlier media interviews. United Cajun Navy representatives had previously described Wells as “fully clothed” in some appearances (including one with Nancy Grace), but later specified that this referred to swimwear rather than a full set of clothing such as a shirt. The group has accused Crump of misrepresenting their words.

Crump and the Wells family have continued to question aspects of the official investigation, including the timeline and condition of the body. Local authorities have indicated the death appeared consistent with drowning, though an independent autopsy left the official cause undetermined pending further results. The case remains under investigation.

The exchange between the search group and Crump has added another layer of tension to the already closely watched case.

Sources

• New York Post