People who were on Mississippi’s Horn Island for a large Fourth of July gathering are now sharing what they saw before 18-year-old Nolan Wells disappeared. Wells, a community college football player, was reported missing on the evening of July 4 after spending the day on the island with friends. His body was found on the island’s northwestern tip on July 6. As Mississippi authorities and the FBI continue investigating his death, people who regularly visit Horn Island have described strong currents that developed later that day, while Wells’ parents continue to question whether there is more to the case.
Nolan Wells disappearance: Horn Island visitors describe dangerous water conditions
People who know Horn Island well told NBC News that the holiday crowd was much larger than usual. Melissa Miller, who has visited the island for the past 10 summers, said she noticed “a lot more young people out there” along with families. She did not see Wells during the gathering but said the atmosphere appeared normal.“Everyone seemed to be having a good time,” Miller said.Miller said she had anchored her boat near the same northwestern area where Wells’ body was later found. According to her, the water around the island is often choppy, but that part is known for even stronger conditions.“We had to rope our floats that we float in. We had to tie it to the boat on the Fourth that day to keep us from getting sucked into the Gulf,” she said.An unidentified charter boat operator also told NBC News that the currents around Horn Island can change quickly. He said the water stayed calm until around 4 p.m., when his son struggled to get back to their boat because the current had become much stronger.“I know people that have grown up out there that have died out there,” he told the outlet. “It’ll humble you very quick. I don’t care what kind of shape you’re in. Those currents can get you, and before you even realize you’re in trouble, you’re gone.”
Nolan Wells’ parents question final hours as investigation continues
According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and some of Wells’ friends, the 18-year-old stayed behind on the island without his phone after reportedly meeting a young woman. His parents have said that does not match his usual behavior and believe the circumstances deserve closer examination.The sheriff earlier said there were no immediate signs of foul play and that the death appeared to be a drowning. However, the official autopsy, an independent autopsy and toxicology results are still pending. The medical examiner has declined to comment further while waiting for those findings.Wells’ family has launched its own investigation. Family attorney Ben Crump questioned why no one at the crowded gathering appeared to notice if Wells was in trouble.“If he’s drowning, nobody sees him drown? Nobody offers assistance? Nobody tries to help?” Crump said.His father, Elmore Wonsley, also rejected the idea that his son would knowingly stay behind alone.“I know he wouldn’t do that. I preached that to him every day … You’re lying to me,” he told TheGrio.At the same time, Miller said it was common for people to leave phones on boats because they spent most of the day in waist-deep water. Wells’ friend Tracestin Shepherd told ABC News that many people were not using their phones during the party.“All our friends are out there. Who are we communicating with?” he said, adding that he saw Wells place his phone on a boat dashboard before going swimming.United Cajun Navy spokesman Brian Trascher said investigators still need to account for the time between Wells separating from his friends and entering the water.“We have to close the gap between when his friends said goodbye … to the time he went into the water, because they should be able to pinpoint, and it’s weird that they can’t,” he previously told PEOPLE.