Results of Nolan Wells’ death investigation to be turned over to grand jury, Crump says
Posted by hoangduc - July 20, 2026
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WLBT/Gray News) – The results of the death investigation of Nolan Wells will be turned over to a grand jury once the case is complete, attorney Ben Crump announced during a conference with the Wells family Wednesday.
An independent investigation of Wells’ cellphone will also be coordinated by Crump and his team. Law enforcement officials will also investigate the cellphone findings.
18-year-old Nolan Wells
Christine Wonsley, the mother of Wells, said the funeral services for her teen son will be held at Center Pointe Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, on Monday. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and other services will begin immediately after that.
This comes after officials said his funeral services won’t be held at the Coast Coliseum.
Crump said that actor Tyler Perry paid for the funeral expenses.
Autopsy results have not yet been released. The case remains under investigation.
Crump joined the Wells family for a meeting with Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath Wednesday morning.
They shared updates on the investigation into Wells’ death and any relevant developments from the discussion.
“We are looking forward to our meeting with the district attorney this morning. Nolan’s family still has no answers about how their son went to Horn Island and never came home,” Crump said. “A thorough investigation must be completed, and the district attorney must put every relevant fact before the grand jury. Nothing held back. Nothing overlooked.”
Wells, an 18-year-old Ocean Springs, Mississippi, native and Southwest Mississippi Community College football player, traveled by boat to Horn Island with a group of friends on July 4 to celebrate the holiday, but did not return with them.
A park ranger found his body in the water just off the northwestern tip of the island on the morning of July 6.
The cause of his death has not been determined, and the family has commissioned an independent autopsy.
FBI Jackson released the following statement regarding the investigation:
“While the FBI has ᴀssisted with certain aspects of the investigation in which federal tools and partnerships proved valuable to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), the JCSO is leading and will continue to lead the investigation. Jackson County and the FBI have maintained a trusting, effective partnership over many years, regularly working side-by-side to resolve complex investigations. From day one, we have been supporting Jackson County as they’ve worked to gather information and find answers for the Wells Family and the community. The FBI will remain ready to ᴀssist JCSO Investigators as they request our support, particularly when federal resources may expand their capacity to provide clarity and peace of mind for Nolan’s loved ones.
At the federal level, the FBI has been working to address interstate threats that were received by individuals related to this matter, but these efforts are in parallel with Jackson County’s independent investigation.”
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WLBT/Gray News) – The results of the death investigation of Nolan Wells will be turned over to a grand jury once the case is complete,…
