The investigation into the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells is entering a potentially important new phase as investigators continue examining digital evidence, witness accounts and the circumstances surrounding his final hours on Horn Island.

Nolan disappeared after a July 4 outing with friends and his body was recovered from the water near the island two days later. Authorities initially said they suspected drowning and had not found evidence of foul play, but his family has continued to demand a deeper investigation.

Now, several developments are drawing renewed attention — including the examination of Nolan’s cellphone, FBI assistance with digital evidence and the decision to send the completed investigation to a Mississippi grand jury.

One of the most closely watched pieces of evidence is Nolan’s cellphone.

The phone reportedly returned to the mainland with people who had been with Nolan on the island. His family later raised concerns that messages appeared to have been deleted before the device was returned.

Attorneys representing the family and the District Attorney’s office agreed to work toward a mutual forensic examination of the phone, with experts from both sides involved.

That examination could potentially help establish what happened during Nolan’s final hours.

Investigators could examine communications, timestamps, photographs, location information and other digital records.