“You Make Him Get on That Boat”: Nolan Wells’ Family Seeks Answers

“There were three of them and one of him. You make him get on that boat.”

Those words, spoken by the father of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells, capture the heartbreak and unanswered questions surrounding his son’s death.

In an emotional interview, Nolan’s parents, Christine and Elmore Wells, spoke publicly for the first time alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump. They said they do not believe Nolan voluntarily stayed behind on Horn Island and argue that the official account leaves too many unanswered questions.

Nolan, a recent Pascagoula High School graduate and college football player, disappeared during a Fourth of July boating trip to Horn Island. His body was later recovered in the waters off the Mississippi coast.

His family has raised concerns about several aspects of the case, including the circumstances surrounding Nolan being left on the island, reports that his phone was returned with deleted messages, and video that they say shows an argument involving the phone before he disappeared. They believe these issues deserve further investigation.

“We just want to know what happened,” his mother said through tears. “We want the truth about why our baby didn’t come home.”

As the family continues to seek answers, they are calling for a thorough and transparent investigation into the events leading up to Nolan’s death.

For those who loved Nolan, this is about more than finding closure—it’s about understanding what happened and ensuring every question is fully examined.