Nolan Wells Case: Family Updates Investigation Amid New Audio Release

WHO:

USA Today - Nolan Wells, 18, went missing after a boat trip.

USA Today - Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter.

USA Today - Family attorney Ben Crump.

USA Today - Dr. Roger Mitchell, independent medical examiner.

USA Today - Christine Wonsley, Wells' mother.

USA Today - Elmore Wonsley, Wells' father.

USA Today - Ashlee Cole, chancery court judge and mother of a friend on the boat.

USA Today - Bart Edmiston Jr., friend of Wells.

WHAT:

USA Today - Family attorney Ben Crump stated that the independent medical examiner, Dr. Roger Mitchell, was unable to determine a cause or manner of death due to not being able to inspect certain parts of Wells' body, including the throat and larynx.

USA Today - The family has received over 100 calls each day from the public regarding the investigation.

USA Today - The family is working to reach an agreement with district attorney Angel Myers McIlrath to jointly investigate cellphone evidence in the case.

USA Today - The family has sent letters to Wells' friends and local officials instructing them not to delete any records, notifying them that litigation is “reasonably anticipated.”

USA Today - The family has retained audio engineering experts to review the distress call.

USA Today - The family is consulting with oceanic engineering experts to understand how tides and weather could have affected where Wells' body was found.

USA Today - The family has received over 100 calls each day from the public regarding the investigation.

USA Today - Crump announced that the family has obtained the full audio recording of a distress call made by the boat Wells reportedly traveled to Horn Island on to Sea Tow.

USA Today - The distress call indicated that there were about seven people on board the boat.

PBS - The caller in the distress call stated, "Our bilge pump stopped working. We're sinking. Can y'all please come?"

PBS - The dispatcher was informed by a captain that a relative of the boat owner reported those onboard had resolved the issue and "don't need any help right now."

USA Today - The family is consulting with oceanic engineering experts to understand how tides and weather could have affected where Wells' body was found.

USA Today - The family is working to reach an agreement with district attorney Angel Myers McIlrath to jointly investigate cellphone evidence in the case.

USA Today - The family has retained audio engineering experts to review the distress call.

USA Today - Family attorney Ben Crump stated that the team is hoping to get more information to Dr. Roger Mitchell, the independent medical examiner who conducted a second autopsy on Wells.

USA Today - The family has received over 100 calls each day from the public regarding the investigation.

USA Today - Subpoenas were issued to social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Life360, Snapchat, and TikTok for data from Wells' accounts.

USA Today - The family has sent letters to Wells' friends and local officials instructing them not to delete any records, notifying them that litigation is “reasonably anticipated.”

USA Today - Wells' body was found days after he went missing.

USA Today - The family launched an independent investigation into Wells' death.

USA Today - Crump announced the family obtained a full audio recording of a distress call.

USA Today - The family is consulting with oceanic engineering experts.

USA Today - Subpoenas were issued to social media platforms for data from Wells' accounts.

USA Today - The distress call indicated the boat was sinking due to a bilge pump problem.

Fox News - The audio recording does not show "anything nefarious," according to a retired FBI agent.

WHERE:

USA Today - Horn Island, Mississippi.

USA Today - Jackson County, Mississippi.

WHEN:

USA Today - Wells went missing after a boat trip on July 4.

USA Today - The National Urban League conference occurred on July 30.

USA Today - Crump made statements on July 30 regarding the investigation.

WHY:

USA Today - Crump described the online harassment faced by Wells' mother, stating, "A parent can’t grieve when you have people attacking them, attacking their jobs, attacking their character, just attacking them period."

USA Today - Crump described the online harassment faced by Wells' mother, stating, "They are just sick, evil people who would attack this mother and this father for simply saying we want to know what happened to our child."

USA Today - The family expressed a lack of confidence in Mississippi law enforcement.

USA Today - Crump stated that "sick people" have targeted Wells' mother with negative reviews.

HOW:

USA Today - Bart Edmiston Jr.'s family plans to "pursue all available legal remedies" against false accusations made online.

USA Today - Bart Edmiston Jr., a friend of Wells, faced intense online scrutiny and threats after helping the distressed vessel and towing it for a short distance. His family plans to "pursue all available legal remedies" against false accusations made online.

USA Today - The family is working to reach an agreement with district attorney Angel Myers McIlrath to jointly investigate cellphone evidence.

USA Today - The family has retained audio engineering experts to review the distress call.

(UPDATED July 31, 2026 18:24 UTC)

The family attorney, Ben Crump, revealed that the independent medical examiner, Dr. Roger Mitchell, could not determine a cause or manner of death for Wells due to restrictions on inspecting certain parts of the body. In the meantime, the family is actively working with district attorney Angel Myers McIlrath to investigate cellphone evidence, while also consulting with experts in audio engineering and oceanic engineering to gather more insights into the case. Additionally, Crump highlighted the online harassment faced by Wells' mother, emphasizing the emotional toll it takes on grieving parents, as the family prepares to pursue legal action against false accusations made online.

(UPDATED July 31, 2026 10:54 UTC)

The family of Wells has been inundated with over 100 calls each day from the public regarding the ongoing investigation, and they have now obtained the full audio recording of a distress call made by the boat that reportedly took Wells to Horn Island. In that distress call, a caller urgently stated, "Our bilge pump stopped working. We're sinking. Can y'all please come?" Meanwhile, the family is consulting with oceanic engineering experts to understand the circumstances surrounding the case and is also working to reach an agreement with district attorney Angel Myers McIlrath to jointly investigate cellphone evidence.

(UPDATED July 31, 2026 06:05 UTC)

The family of Wells is actively seeking more information from Dr. Roger Mitchell, the independent medical examiner who conducted a second autopsy, while also dealing with over 100 calls each day from the public regarding the investigation. Subpoenas have been issued to major social media platforms for data from Wells' accounts, and the family has instructed friends and local officials not to delete any records as they anticipate litigation. Attorney Ben Crump highlighted the online harassment faced by Wells' mother, condemning the cruel treatment they have received while trying to uncover the truth about their child's death.

(UPDATED July 30, 2026 22:27 UTC)

Eighteen-year-old Nolan Wells was reported missing after a boat trip, and his body was discovered days later near Horn Island, Mississippi. The family, expressing a lack of confidence in local law enforcement, has launched an independent investigation into his death, which includes consulting oceanic engineering experts and obtaining a distress call recording that suggests the boat was sinking due to a bilge pump issue. Family attorney Ben Crump announced that subpoenas have been issued to social media platforms for data from Wells' accounts, as they seek to collaborate with district attorney Angel Myers McIlrath on cellphone evidence.