Why Nolan Wells' parents accuse investigators of keeping them in the dark after teen's death

The family of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells says they are becoming increasingly frustrated as questions surrounding his death remain unanswered.

Wells went missing after traveling to Mississippi’s Horn Island with friends to celebrate the Fourth of July. While the rest of the group returned home, Wells did not. His mother, Christine Wonsley, reported him missing, and on Monday, July 6, his body was found on the island.

As the investigation continues, many questions surrounding his death remain unanswered.

One of Wells’ friends has pushed back against claims surrounding a viral “beach fight” video, in which some online have claimed Wells can be heard arguing. Tracestin Shepherd later confirmed the voice in the video was not Wells, but his own, saying he was arguing with a man who allegedly inserted himself into a dispute between Shepherd and his girlfriend.

“I told him he needed to mind his own business,” Shepherd said in an interview with Rolling Stone.

Investigation into Nolan Wells’ death

Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter previously told ABC News investigators believe Wells’ friends left the island without him.

“From what we understand, he chose to stay there,” Ledbetter said.

The mother of one of Wells’ friends, Ashlee Cole, has also publicly shared her family’s account of what happened, saying they are cooperating with the investigation.

“No one in our family is trying in any way to impede with the investigation by law enforcement or to otherwise hamper the family and law enforcement’s quest for answers,” she wrote on Facebook.

Her son said he last saw Wells “at around 3pm on July 4th.” Cole also explained why Wells was allegedly left behind on the island.

“They left around 4:30 pm when the boat was taking on water and they had an issue with the bilge pump. Nolan made a decision to stay on the island and return inland later with another group of friends.”

His family is looking for answes

As speculation about Wells’ final moments continues to spread online, investigators have remained tight-lipped about the circumstances surrounding his death. The sheriff leading the investigation has repeatedly said authorities will not rush the process.

Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter stressed that investigators are focused on conducting a thorough investigation despite growing calls for answers.

“Nolan Wells’ family deserves a thorough and factual investigation, and that’s exactly what they’re going to get,” he told ABC News.

“I think it is important that we do not put ourselves on a timetable and we do not rush ourselves, but I also think it is important to be diligent in gathering all of the facts.”

At the same time, Wells’ family says it is still searching for answers.

“We will not rest”

Speaking with theGrio alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump, Nolan’s mother, Christine Wonsley, said communication from authorities has been minimal. According to her, the family had not received any updates since the previous Tuesday and only heard from investigators after she personally reached out to ask about the case, according to TMZ.

Christine said the response she received offered little new information, adding that the family has not been contacted again since that conversation.

Crump also wrote on X that Wells’ family “deserve the truth.”

“We will not rest until every fact about what happened to Nolan on Horn Island is brought into the light, and we call on investigators to pursue this case with the urgency and transparency this family deserves,” he added.

Crump criticized what he described as a slow-moving investigation, arguing that Wells’ death should be receiving far greater urgency. He also questioned why the young men who were with Wells before he disappeared have not faced more intensive scrutiny, saying the family deserves the same level of investigative effort any family would expect.

Harrison County Sheriff Matt Ledbetter previously told TMZ that investigators had found no evidence of foul play. However, authorities said they are continuing to interview witnesses and follow up on potential leads.

The investigation continues

Crump has also called for an independent investigation and commissioned a separate autopsy, according to VT.

“It’s a lived experience for many Black Americans that often times when our children are killed in highly-questionable situations, there is this notion that there was nothing wrong, no foul play, let’s just sweep it under the rug,” he said at a Harlem press conference Friday.

“We refuse to let them sweep it under the rug. We refuse that Nolan Wells’ death be in vain. We’re going to make sure we get to the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, because Nolan Wells deserves it.”

As investigators continue working to determine exactly what happened to Wells, authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward as the family continues to wait for the answers they say they still haven’t received.

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