A lawyer representing the family of Nolan Wells has revealed the final text message the 18-year-old sent before his body was found in the water following a July 4 boating trip in Mississippi.
His final message
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said at a press conference that Wells texted "Thank you" to his aunt, Gabby, at around 8:30pm on 3 July. Crump noted that this was notable given Wells, like many teenagers, typically communicated with friends via Snapchat rather than text message, saying his family confirmed this was a common pattern for him. Crump added that 282 pages of Snapchat messages from Wells' friend group were also recovered when his phone was examined.
What happened to him
Wells went missing after an Independence Day boat party with friends on Horn Island, Mississippi, and his body was discovered two days later. A 23-person grand jury ruled last week that his death was "consistent with drowning," finding no evidence of foul play or racial motivation. The grand jury's report stated: "The position of, the condition of, time of discovery, and location of Mr. Wells' body is consistent with drowning," and found "no evidence of any fatal injury or organic disease" to his body, despite bruising to the back of his head that was determined not to be fatal. Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said: "There is absolutely no evidence to support the allegations that Nolan's death and disappearance were racially motivated."
A witness testified under oath that he saw Wells slip "awkwardly" off the side of a boat, though he couldn't confirm whether Wells struck his head, adding that Wells didn't appear injured afterward and continued socialising.
His family's response
Despite the grand jury's findings, Wells' mother, Christine Wells Wonsley, said she and Wells' father do not believe their son simply and accidentally drowned, telling reporters through tears: "Despite the grand jury's decision, Elmore, our family and I will continue to fight for justice and I know all those who have supported us will do the same."
Harassment faced by his friends
Wells played football for Southwest Mississippi Community College. Since his death, his friends who were present during the trip have faced sustained harassment and conspiracy theories from online amateur sleuths. The grand jury's report explicitly described these attacks as "malicious," "false," and lacking any basis in fact or evidence.
