Mississippi teen's family to do independent autopsy, attorney recounts 'altercation'

Published: Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 2:37 pm

The family of Mississippi teen Nolan Xavier Wells plans to conduct an independent autopsy following the 18-year-old's death, according to their attorney, Ben Crump. Wells, described as a beloved college athlete with a promising future, went missing on July 4th after a boat trip with friends to Horn Island.

According to officials and Crump, Wells was on a boat trip to the undeveloped island, which is only accessible by private boat and lacks facilities. His friends reportedly left the island without him, with the Jackson County Sheriff stating that Wells chose to stay behind. A body believed to be Wells was later recovered.

Authorities have indicated they suspect drowning and do not believe foul play was involved, though the sheriff's office has emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and they are working to determine the exact circumstances of his death.

Attorney Ben Crump, however, has raised concerns, stating that investigators have told the family they see no evidence of foul play, despite accounts from students who recorded an altercation on the boats. Crump described this altercation as yelling between Wells and another individual. He also noted that Wells' friends allegedly took his phone when they left the island, and that messages were deleted from the device before it was returned to the family.

Wells' father described his son as an "elite athlete" who was a strong swimmer, leading the family to question the conclusion of accidental drowning. The independent autopsy is scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C.

The sheriff's office is continuing its investigation and is appealing to the public for any information, particularly photos or videos from the northwest tip of Horn Island around the time of the incident. They are seeking any images depicting alleged altercations or including Nolan Wells, as well as any accounts of arguments, disturbances, or unusual activity observed on the island. The department stressed that even seemingly insignificant details could be valuable to investigators and extended their condolences to the Wells family.

BNN's Perspective: The tragic death of Nolan Xavier Wells raises understandable questions for his grieving family. While authorities are currently leaning towards accidental drowning, the family's decision to pursue an independent autopsy and the attorney's highlighting of an alleged altercation suggest a desire for complete clarity. It is crucial for the ongoing investigation to thoroughly explore all avenues and for any relevant information from the public to be considered, ensuring that all facts are brought to light for the family and the community.

Tags: Nolan Xavier Wells, Mississippi teen, independent autopsy, Ben Crump, altercation, boat trip, Horn Island, drowning, foul play, college athlete, sheriff's office, investigation

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