The family of Nolan Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old standout athlete from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, has retained prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump following the teen’s tragic death after a Fourth of July boating trip to Horn Island. Wells’ body was recovered on July 6 in the water off the island, sparking ongoing questions and calls for a thorough investigation.

Wells, a beloved son, teammate, and friend who played wide receiver for Ocean Springs High School and Southwest Mississippi Community College, traveled by boat to the barrier island with a group of friends to celebrate the holiday. He was last seen around 3 p.m. CT on July 4. His friends reportedly left the island without him, later telling authorities they could not find him. His mother reported him missing that night.

A multi-agency search involving the U.S. Coast Guard, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, National Park Service, and others lasted two days before a U.S. Park Ranger discovered his body on the northwestern tip of Horn Island. While investigators initially suggested drowning amid strong currents, no official cause or manner of death has been released pending full autopsy and toxicology results.

Crump and the family have raised concerns about inconsistencies in the accounts provided by Wells’ friends. A video reportedly captures an argument in which Wells frantically pleads, “Give me my freaking phone! What are you freaking doing?” The family also questions why his phone was left behind or taken by others, noting that some messages and Snapchat content appeared deleted when recovered.

The family plans an independent autopsy, with Wells’ body sent to Washington, D.C. Crump, joined by figures like Rev. Al Sharpton, has emphasized the need for transparency, stating they refuse to “sweep it under the rug” and are seeking full answers to honor Nolan’s life.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office maintains the investigation is active and ongoing, with no current evidence of foul play, but they continue to seek photos, videos, and witness accounts from the area, particularly any depicting arguments or unusual activity. Coaches, educators, and the community have mourned Wells as a humble, hardworking young man deeply loved by those around him.

Sources: New York Pos