Body of Nolan Wells found after July 4 trip; family hires attorney Ben Crump

The body of Nolan Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old Black college football player, was found July 6 on Horn Island, Mississippi, after he disappeared during a Fourth of July boat trip. His family has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump to investigate the circumstances, citing a lack of clarity and growing public speculation about racial motives Source: NPR.

According to Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter, Wells chose to stay on the island when his friends returned to the mainland around 4:30 p.m. on July 4, intending to catch another ride back Source: AP News. He was reported missing that night by his mother, Christine Wonsley, who posted photos on social media showing Wells as the only Black person in the group Source: CNN. The sheriff’s department, Coast Guard, and state marine resources conducted a search; a body was recovered Monday and identified Tuesday by Wonsley Source: Guardian.

No cause of death has been determined, and an autopsy is pending Source: AP News. Sheriff Ledbetter said there is no evidence of foul play, but the family and civil rights groups are pressing for a thorough investigation. “We will not rest until every fact about what happened to Nolan on Horn Island is brought into the light,” Crump said Source: NPR.

• Racial tensions: Online speculation has surged, fueled by Wells being the only Black person in the group. The NAACP posted: “His name was Nolan Xavier Wells… Every Black man deserves the chance to grow old” Source: Guardian.
• Investigation status: Authorities are appealing for witnesses to come forward; the sheriff called it an “active investigation” Source: CNN.