Nolan Wells' Parents Seek Federal Review in 18-Year-Old's Death as Questions Swirl Over Investigation
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 14
Nolan Wells' Parents Seek Federal Review in 18-Year-Old's Death as Questions Swirl Over Investigation
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 14
Summary
At the NABJ convention in Atlanta, Nolan Wells’ parents, Ben Crump, Al Sharpton and Rep. Lucy McBath called for a federal review of the investigation into the 18-year-old’s disappearance and death.
The family said local authorities showed little urgency after Wells vanished on 4 July following a boating trip, with multiple agencies initially saying the case was outside their jurisdiction and no search boats deployed that night.
Christine Wells-Wonsley also cited inconsistencies in accounts from some of Wells’ friends, saying the family still does not know why Wells did not return with them or when and how he died.
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter has said he suspects no foul play and that the others on the boat are cooperating; all three have retained attorneys, and no one has been charged in Wells’ death.
Mississippi still has not released the state autopsy pending a grand jury, while the family’s independent autopsy was inconclusive; Congressional Black Caucus members have urged the FBI and Justice Department to conduct an independent review.