Audio Shows 7 Teens Reported Sinking Boat Near Horn Island in Nolan Wells Case

3 articles · Updated · WLOX · Jul 26

Call audio obtained by WLOX captures a teen telling Sea Tow on July 4 that a boat carrying about seven people near Horn Island was sinking after its bilge pump stopped working.
GPS coordinates placed the boat off Horn Island’s northwest tip, and the caller said everyone was still aboard and asked to have the vessel pumped out and towed to Fort Bayou launch.
Sea Tow never towed the boat; the dispatcher said the owner told a captain the teens did not need help, and Sea Tow later said assistance was canceled because other help had been obtained.
The recording also includes the teen asking a 21-year-old on another boat to "jump in and pull the plug," while Nolan Wells’ friend later said Wells chose to stay on the island as others returned to land.
Wells, 18, was reported missing that night and found dead two days later; his family disputes that he would have voluntarily separated, and the death investigation remains ongoing.