The father of Nolan Wells, the Mississippi teenager who died after being left behind during a Fourth of July boating trip, is demanding accountability from the friends who survived the outing, saying they “have to answer” to his grieving family.

Nolan, a well-known high school football player, disappeared after a group of teenagers spent the holiday boating on the Pearl River near Ross Barnett Reservoir. According to investigators, the group reportedly left Nolan alone on a small island while returning to shore. When they realized he was missing, an extensive search involving multiple agencies was launched. His body was later recovered after several days of searching.

Speaking publicly for the first time, Nolan’s father, Elmore Wonsley, rejected claims that his son simply chose to remain on the island.

“They’ve got to answer to us,” Wonsley said, criticizing what he described as inconsistent explanations from the teenagers who were with his son. He questioned why the group believed it was acceptable to leave Nolan behind and said the family is still searching for the full truth about what happened that night.

Nolan’s mother, Tamara Wells, also expressed heartbreak over the tragedy, saying she cannot understand how her son was left alone without anyone ensuring he made it back safely. The family has continued to call for complete transparency as investigators review witness statements and evidence.

The Rankin County Sheriff’s Office has stated that the investigation remains active. Authorities are working to reconstruct the timeline of events, interviewing everyone who participated in the boating trip while examining physical and digital evidence. As of now, no criminal charges have been announced, and investigators have not publicly concluded whether any laws were violated.

Friends, classmates, and coaches have remembered Nolan as a talented athlete and respected teammate whose death has deeply affected his school and local community. Vigils and tributes have been held in his honor as loved ones continue to mourn his loss.

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and additional information may be released as detectives complete their review of the evidence.

Source: NY POST