The dad and mom of Nolan Xavier Wells, the 18-year-old student-athlete whose physique was recovered on July 6 after a Fourth of July boating journey, known as for a clear investigation as they search solutions concerning the mysterious dying of their son.
Christine and Elmore Wonsley advised “Good Morning America” anchor Michael Strahan in an interview on Friday that they’ve known as for a “thorough” investigation as they search solutions about their son’s mysterious dying.
“We simply need honesty and transparency. We wish a radical investigation,” Christine Wonsley mentioned. “We wish that very same respect that may be given to anyone else, and that is it. We simply need solutions.”
Wells, who performed soccer at Southwest Mississippi Group School, went lacking throughout a Fourth of July celebration with highschool associates on Horn Island, a preferred undeveloped island simply south of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, officers mentioned. A physique believed to be Wells was recovered on Monday. In accordance with Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter, a buddy of Wells contacted the Coast Guard round 11 p.m. on July 4. Individually, Wells’ mom contacted the sheriff’s workplace about her son round midnight main into July 5.
The Wonsleys solid doubt on claims by associates that Wells determined to remain behind on the island, whereas his associates left.
“That we can’t reply,” Christine Wonsley mentioned when requested why Wells would keep behind, “I simply, I am unable to — I am unable to fathom why he would.”
“We at all times advised him, in the event you go along with a gaggle, you stick with a gaggle,” Elmore Wonsley mentioned.
Ledbetter advised ABC Information in an interview that aired on “GMA” on Friday that nothing “but” from the proof they collected signifies that foul play was concerned in Wells’ dying, however the investigation will take time and is ongoing, he added.
“We’re working in the direction of the identical aim because the household. We wish a radical investigation. We’re looking for out all the pieces ,” he mentioned. “We’re offering a radical, skilled, and correct investigation. That is what we’ll proceed to do, till we arrive on the solutions that the household deserves.”
“It is a very tough time for our neighborhood. It is a very tough time for Nolan’s household,” he added. “Our foremost goal and our precedence is to provide an correct {and professional} and really thorough investigation into the dying of Nolan, for the sake of his household and for the sake of the neighborhood.”
The sheriff urged the general public for “endurance” as investigators look right into a “substantial quantity” of ideas and evaluation photograph and video proof.
“Jackson County is a neighborhood that helps its folks,” he mentioned. “Our neighborhood is there for the household.”
An undated photograph of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells, whose physique was believed to be recovered after going lacking on July 4, 2026.
Courtesy of the Wells Household
Christine Wonsley advised “GMA” that his household tracked his telephone on the Life360 utility, however when she went to select it up from associates, she discovered that some texts and messages had been deleted, notably pointing to his Snapchat account.
“Once we lastly bought his telephone, me and my sister went by way of the telephone. We went in his Snapchat. He had two accounts. Completely nothing,” Christine Wonsley mentioned. “It wasn’t even 24 hours, which is how lengthy movies and footage keep in Snapchat … even my sister was like, yeah, that is suspicious.”
“No younger individual leaves their cellular phone,” civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who represents the household, advised “GMA.” “It is not including up, and that’s the downside when you consider the historical past of Mississippi. Yeah, so there are such a lot of questions that have to be answered.”
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Division launched this photograph through the seek for Nolan Xavier Wells, 18, in Mississippi.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Division
Crump advised ABC Information Dwell Prime anchor Linsey Davis in an interview on Wednesday that the household will “not permit” investigators to “sweep” their son’s dying “below a rug.”
“You are attempting to inform us simply settle for this an accident and sweep it below the rug,” Crump mentioned. “His mom, Christine, his father, Elmore, say, no, they won’t permit that to occur.”
In accordance with Crump, whereas authorities have advised the household that they “do not see any proof of any foul play,” Wells’ dad and mom have questions after studying extra particulars about what allegedly befell earlier than their son’s disappearance and are calling for a clear investigation.
Crump mentioned the household is conscious of an “altercation” that was “recorded” by college students who have been on the boat, the place “Nolan and any person” have been “yelling at each other.”
Crump additionally mentioned that Wells’ associates took his telephone with them after they left Horn Island and when his household bought his telephone again, some messages had been deleted.
“That is one thing that is actually troubling to his household,” Crump mentioned.
Requested if Wells might swim, Crump mentioned his father described the 18-year-old school soccer participant as “an elite athlete.”
“He mentioned that his son might swim. And so, they’re simply not accepting that Nolan drowned by accident,” Crump mentioned.
Because the household searches for solutions, they are going to conduct an unbiased post-mortem in Washington, D.C., Crump mentioned.
Nolan Wells in his soccer uniform through the summer time/fall season of 2024 at Ocean Springs Excessive Faculty, the place he was a senior.
Ocean Springs Faculty District
The sheriff’s division confused Wednesday that the investigation is ongoing and urged anybody who was on or close to the northwest tip of Horn Island to come back ahead with photographs or movies, “notably these depicting alleged altercations or containing photographs of, or believed to incorporate Nolan Wells.”
The sheriff’s division mentioned it is also on the lookout for anybody who could have seen Wells or “noticed or heard an argument, disturbance, or different uncommon exercise whereas on the island.”
“Even info that will appear insignificant might show worthwhile to investigators. We encourage anybody with firsthand information to come back ahead,” the division mentioned.
“Our ideas, prayers, and condolences stay with Nolan Wells’ household throughout this tough time,” the division added.
ABC Information’ Sasha Pezenick, Kirk Cohall and Mark Guarino contributed to this report.
