District attorney urges patience in investigation of Nolan Wells’ death
The district attorney for Mississippi’s 19th Circuit Court District is calling for patience as authorities continue investigating the death of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Ocean Springs resident. Angel Myers McIlrath posted a four-minute video on Facebook Thursday, addressing community concerns and explaining that law enforcement is still gathering evidence.
McIlrath said information is being withheld not out of malice but to protect the integrity of the investigation. She noted that, like other death investigations in her jurisdiction, Wells’ case will be presented to a grand jury once the investigation concludes. Evidence, including autopsy results, remains sealed until then.
Wells was last seen on July 4 during a boat trip with friends. His body was discovered on Horn Island two days later after a multiagency search. His death has prompted national discussion, with social media users questioning how he died. Wells, who was Black, was last photographed with a group of white friends on the boat.
His family hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump to ensure a transparent investigation, which is being conducted by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. McIlrath emphasized that authorities are working around the clock to determine what happened to Wells.
Crump confirmed that the investigation’s findings will be presented to a grand jury after a meeting with McIlrath on July 15. Meanwhile, Wells’ family has expressed frustration over what they describe as limited communication from law enforcement. An independent autopsy found no definitive cause of death, citing no fractures or injuries but noting red discoloration on Wells’ head, which could be due to decomposition or injury.
Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, described the autopsy results as heartbreaking and expressed concern over the lack of information from authorities. McIlrath urged the public to avoid misinformation and emphasized the importance of maintaining the investigation’s integrity to ensure trust in the results.
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