JACKSON COUNTY, Ms. (WZTV) — The family of a Mississippi teenager whose body was found after he went missing Fourth of July weekend is now demanding answers.
On Friday, Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump , Rev. Al Sharpton and the family of Wells are holding a press conference to demand an investigation into the teen’s death.
Wells’ body was reportedly found Monday in the water near the end of Horn Island in Jackson County, Mississippi. He went boating with three friends on July 4 and did not return from the island. The only way to get to and from the island is by boat.
Wells’ family says law enforcement said his death was an accidental drowning, but there has been no official cause of death released at this time.
Rev. Sharpton opened the conference by stating there are too many unanswered questions to close the investigation into Wells’ death. He says Wells, who is Black, went on a boat with three white men, who returned with Wells’ phone and keys, but not Wells. Wells’ father Elmore Wonsley adds that one of these friends first lied to him about having his son’s keys but then gave them to him five minutes later.
“What we’ve been told does not make sense,” Rev. Sharpton said. “There’s just too many questions where they should not be closing the investigation. This does not smell right.”
Attorney Crump also mentions cell phone video that surfaced after Wells’ disappearance, showing what appeared to be a fight at Horn Island between Wells and his friends.
“Give me my freaking phone,” Crump said Wells is seen saying in the video. “What are you freaking doing.”
Wells’ friend alleges he wanted to stay on Horn Island to talk to a young woman. Crump questions what teenager would stay on an island without their phone.
“It’s not adding up,” Crump says. “It’s not adding up at all.”
Wells’ mom Christine Wonsley teared up when she spoke at the podium.
“Nolan was, sorry, is the kindest soul,” Christine said. “He loved everyone…He just wanted everyone to be in peace with one another. He loved life and God gave him this big heart which always scared us.”
Christine adds that she warned him of racism, but that Wells always saw the best in others.
Wells’ parents and Crump also have questions as to why Wells’ body was not found until Monday, despite him searching the island for his son on Sunday.
‘We just want to know what happened and why our baby didn’t come home,” Christine says.
Wells was a son and brother. He also played football at Ocean Springs High School and Southwest Mississippi Community College.
Attorney Crump’s office is leading an independent investigation into Wells’ death as well as an independent autopsy that officials say may take weeks to release results.
“If he’s drowning, nobody sees him drown? Nobody offers ᴀssistance? Nobody tries to help? I mean, obviously he stands out. I think he’s the only Black person I saw when I’m looking at the videos,” Crump said.