S11:E3: The Mysterious Death of Nolan Wells (18) "Questions That Remain"

Ocean Springs, MS –The life of 18-year-old Nolan Wells came to a tragic and devastating end, leaving his family, community, and the nation searching for answers regarding the circumstances.

This episode of Senseless True Crime delves into the established timeline of Nolan's disappearance and tragic death, exploring the events leading up to that fateful night. We confront the critical, unresolved questions: What truly happened to Nolan, and what transpired during his final hours? Moreover, why does his passing remain shrouded in so many unanswered questions?

In exploring Nolan's story, we also address the broader issues the case highlights, including the influence of race, the pursuit of justice, and the painful uncertainty experienced by families left with unanswered questions.

Nolan's story deserves to be remembered—not simply as a case, but as the story of a human being whose life mattered.

Tune in to Season 11: Episode 3 as we pay tribute to the life and legacy of Nolan Wells.

Rest in Peace Nolan Wells 🕊️🙏

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Transcript

SPEAKER_10 0:00

This podcast contains graphic details, which may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion isn't nice. Now this week's case has received a tremendous amount of public outrage. The case that I'm talking about today is of 18-year-old Nolan Wells. The big question surrounding this case is how does an 18-year-old young man leave for a holiday weekend with friends and never come home? On July 4th, 2026, Nolan Xavier Wells traveled to Horn Island, which was a remote barrier island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast to celebrate the 4th of July weekend with friends. Nolan arrived on that island with a group of friends, but when the boats returned to the mainland later that day, Nolan was nowhere to be found. Days later, search crews made a heartbreaking discovery. But instead of providing answers, it only deepened the mystery. What should have been a fun outing with friends turned into a case that would leave more questions than answers. As I researched Nolan Wells' story, I found myself thinking not only about his family, but about my own son. Nolan was a natural born, kind hearted person who never met a stranger, very sociable, big heart, and a quiet nature. He was a special kid. This made me think of my own son, who is stepping into manhood, finding his independence, and building a life of his own, who's also athletic, kind hearted, sociable, and has that same quiet nature. Cases like this remind me how quickly an ordinary day can become anything but ordinary. That's a feeling that many parents understand. We want our children to return home safely. And when they're out with friends, we want them to be safe and to know that the people that they are with will always ensure their safety. But when a family is left with unanswered questions, that uncertainty becomes its own kind of grief. Personally, as a mother of a black son, this case resonates with me in a deeply personal way. It doesn't change what the evidence does or doesn't show, but it reminds me that every family deserves a thorough investigation, clear answers whenever possible, and to have their loved one remembered as more than a tragic headline. But what happens when the people who loved him are left trying to piece together his final moments from conflicting stories with unanswered questions and a distress call and evidence that seems to raise more questions than it has answers? And what happens when weeks later a family is still asking the most painful question that a parent can ask. What happened to my child? Nolan Wells was more than your typical big-hearted kid. He was a college student, he was a football player, he was a son, and he was a friend to many. By all accounts, Nolan was a young man with his entire life ahead of him. He had recently graduated from Ocean Springs High School and gone on to play football at Southwest Mississippi Community College. His family described him as someone who was deeply loved, and those who knew him remembered him more than the circumstances surrounding his death. They remembered a young man who played football, ran track, and full of potential. But on that holiday weekend, something went terribly wrong. When Nolan was out with his friends on Horn Island, at some point that afternoon, the group prepared to leave the island. Their boat was reportedly experiencing mechanical problems, and a distress call, which you will hear later, was placed to Seto. The call would later become one of the most closely examined pieces of information in this case. A young caller reported that the boat was taking on water and that there was approximately seven people on board. But when the boat left the island, Nolan was not with the group. And that is where the story becomes increasingly difficult to understand. Because according to one of the friends on that boat, Nolan stayed behind with a female friend. And they believed that he would be able to return on his own. But another account challenge that version of events. And somewhere between those conflicting accounts lies a question that Nolan's family has been asking ever since. Did Nolan willingly stay behind on Horn Island? Or did something happen that caused him to never make it home? Two days later, Nolan's body was discovered in the water near the northwestern end of Horn Island. His body was discovered face down. Nolan was wearing the exact same swim trunks that he was seen in numerous videos on the boat that day. But the questions were just beginning, and the nation was watching, throwing Mississippi into the spotlight, highlighting a case with racial undertones, possible misuse, and an alleged cover up. Though this case remains under investigation, Mississippi authorities have investigated the possibility that Nolan may have drowned, but Nolan's family has continued to question whether his death was truly an accident, leaving the circumstances surrounding Nolan's death undetermined. Then there is the question of race. Nolan was a young black man who traveled to Horn Island that holiday weekend with a group of white friends. The fact by itself does not prove that race played a role in his death, but it also does not prove that anyone intentionally harmed him. For many people, particularly black families who understand the history of Mississippi and the complicated relationship between race and justice in this country, the racial undertone is impossible to ignore. Because when a black child leaves home and does not return, there is often another fear sitting quietly beneath the surface. Will our questions be taken seriously? Will every possibility be investigated? Will our child's life be valued enough for someone to keep looking when the first explanation does not fully answer every question? Those questions are not accusations, they are questions born out of history. Before we get into the gruesome details of what we know regarding Nolan Wells' death, we must first honor his life. Nolan Xavier Wells was born on August 19th, 2007 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to Elmore Wandsley and Christina Wells Wandsley. Nolan spent his childhood growing up in a close-knit community. He was surrounded by the love and support of his family. But as he grew older, Nolan developed into a respectful and humble young man who was well liked by those who knew him. Whether he was with family, classmates, teammates, or friends, he was known for carrying himself with kindness and treating people with genuine respect. As a student, Nolan worked towards his goals with determination. Back in 2025, he proudly graduated from Ocean Springs High School, marking an important milestone in his young life. Rather than slowing down after graduation, he looked ahead to the next chapter, where he enrolled at Southwest Mississippi Community College. There he became a wide receiver on the football team, and he continued to pursue the sport he loved. Being part of the team reflected his dedication, his discipline, and willingness to work hard, qualities that had become a defining part of who Nolan was. Although football played an important role in his life, it was far from the only thing that mattered to Nolan. He treasured the time spent with his family and friends, and he often chose to be around the people who meant the most to him. Those closest to him remembered Nolan as someone with a warm and welcoming personality. Nolan had a humble spirit, was always willing to lend a helping hand. He had a way of making others feel comfortable in his presence. His kindness and positive attitude left a lasting impression on the people around him. And it was easy to see why he was so deeply loved by those who knew him. To his family, Nolan was more than a talented athlete or a college student with big dreams. He was their son who had a bright future, someone they believed would accomplish great things in life, whose best years were still ahead. Nolan was just 18 years old, but it seemed as though there were countless opportunities waiting for him. There was every reason to believe that he was on the path to achieving his goals. No one could have imagined how quickly everything would change. Nolan was a bright young man looking forward to the future, completely unaware of the danger that lie ahead. What should have been an ordinary chapter in the life of a promising teenager would instead become the beginning of a heartbreaking mystery that would leave his family searching for answers and forever change the lives of everyone who knew and loved him. The Fourth of July weekend was supposed to be a time of celebration. For Nolan, the day began like any other summer outing with friends. There was nothing to suggest that the trip would end in tragedy, or that it would become the last time his family would see him alive. One day before the Fourth of July weekend, Nolan told his parents that he planned to spend the Fourth of July with a group of friends. But after letting them know his plans, he left later that night. He was expecting to enjoy the holiday before returning home. To his family, this seemed like a normal weekend. There was no reason to believe that anything was out of the ordinary. The following day on July 4th, Nolan and several of his friends traveled by boat to Horn Island, which is a barrier island located off the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Because that island is only accessible by boat, everyone who made the trip relied on the vessel to get there and to return to the mainland. When the group first arrived, Nolan was with his friends as planned, spending time on the island, playing music, dancing, and making Snapchat videos. At some point during the day, everything changed. Although Nolan had arrived on the island with the group, his friends later returned to the mainland without him. Now exactly what happened during those hours was unclear. But Nolan was no longer with them when the boat made its way back to shore. Nolan's mother Christine received a phone call from one of the friends, and she was told that her son was missing. Now this call immediately raised alarms, and Christine wasted no time trying to locate her son. She quickly called the emergency number. She explained that he had last been seen at 3 PM that day. She also informed Dispatch that Nolan's cell phone had been left inside one of his friends' trucks, even though all of the friends had already returned from the island. The situation made little sense, and with Nolan nowhere to be found, every passing moment became more concerning. Nolan was last seen at 3 PM. Christine did not receive a phone call till later that night. Eight hours had gone by since anyone had seen or heard from Nolan Wells. Christine contacted the County Sheriff's Department and she was instructed to reach out to the U.S. Coast Guard. Now she did this hoping that a search could begin as quickly as possible. What started as this ordinary holiday weekend suddenly turned into a desperate search for Nolan who had seemingly vanished from an island that he had visited with friends. The moment that Nolan was reported missing was a race against time. With his family and multiple law enforcement agencies working tirelessly to find any sign of where Nolan had gone. But every passing hour without answers had only increased the fear that something had gone terribly wrong. While authorities began organizing search efforts, Nolan's parents took matters into their own hands by using Life 360, which is a tracking application, to locate his phone. They hoped that the information would provide investigators with a clue regarding their son's whereabouts. But instead, what they found only created more questions. The tracking data from Life 360 showed that Nolan's cell phone and his car keys were on the mainland in possession of one of the friends who had traveled with him to Horn Island. Now that discovery immediately stood out because Nolan himself had never returned from the island. So how did the cell phone and car keys end up in the possession of one of the friends? That was one of the major questions. But even more concerning, Nolan's vehicle was located at an entirely different location. To Nolan's family, the situation made very little sense. Because if Nolan had chosen to stay behind on the island, like they were told, why were his phone and keys no longer with him? And why was his vehicle somewhere else? Those unanswered questions had only deepened their concern and made them fear for the worse. There was a large-scale search that investigators conducted to gather more information. The search was on for Nolan Wells. On July 5th, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office had announced that it was coordinating the search for Nolan alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Search teams focused on the water surrounding Horn Island. They also searched nearby areas where Nolan could potentially be found. The National Park Service and the United Cajun Navy also joined in the search. This would help bring in additional manpower. Search crews continue looking for Nolan. The detectives who were assigned to the case shifted their attention toward the people who had been with him during his final hours on Horn Island. The sheriff's lieutenant, who took the initial missing persons report, stated that deputies interviewed several of the friends who traveled to the island with Nolan aboard that boat. According to their statements, when the group decided to leave Horn Island, they said that Nolan was no longer with them. They claimed that he was in the company of an unknown female friend, and he had chosen to remain on the island instead of returning with everyone else. Now that explanation became a key part of the early investigation, but it also raised so many additional questions. What investigators needed now was to determine who the unidentified woman was and what happened after the others departed. What investigators learned was that the young woman's name was Katie. And when they interviewed Katie, she stated that Nolan did not leave the island with her. As detectives continued reviewing evidence and establishing a timeline, there was another troubling detail that came to light. What authorities discovered was that a 911 call had been placed before Nolan was officially reported missing by his family. Now that revelation immediately caught investigators' attention because it suggested that something significant may have happened on the island before Christine ever received the phone call telling her that her son had disappeared. The discovery of that earlier emergency call caused investigators to take an even closer look at everything that happened on Horn Island that day. They carefully compared witness statements with the developing timeline, looking for inconsistencies and trying to understand exactly what occurred during the hours leading up to Nolan's disappearance. With each piece of new information, the case became increasingly complicated. Nolan's personal belongings had been separated from him. His vehicle had been found in a different location. Witnesses claimed he had stayed behind with Katie, and investigators had uncovered an earlier 911 call that raised even more questions. What initially appeared to be the missing person's case was beginning to look far more suspicious, leaving investigators determined to uncover what truly happened on Horn Island. Footage obtained from that CTO audio was cleaned up so that investigators and the public could actually hear what was taking place on that 911 call. Now that 911 call is still very grainy to hear, but I'm gonna break it down for you. What they did not know was that the call started recording right away. So what you will hear in this call? There's several people on this 911 call speaking, but the dialogue goes something like this. Can we cover it up? Yeah, I thought about that. Oh, you killed him. He's already dead. Is he dead? Then someone yells Nolan. Oh my god, no. Nolan, wake up. Then someone yells Quiet. Get up. Wake up. Get the F up. Damn it, Bart. Nono's really dead now. That is the most crucial piece of this call. The caller sounded frightened and told the dispatcher that they were sinking and that the boat was going down. When the dispatcher asked if everyone on board was in good health, he responded yeah. He also estimated that there were approximately seven people on the vessel, and he said that no one was older than twenty one. He provided the boat's location and he requested that the boat be stowed to the Fort Bayou boat launch. Let's take a listen to that call.

SPEAKER_04 23:03

What's the barn and um are members stop working? We're young we're thinking. Can you all please come with a membership?

SPEAKER_05 23:39

How far is the water coming up, sir? Can you give me a description? Ankles Is the Yes. How far is the water coming up, sir?

SPEAKER_04 23:50

Uh it's coming up. It's it's we're just thinking. I don't know. Like we're just we're going down there.

SPEAKER_10 23:55

As the investigation continued, authorities turn their attention to the people who had spent the day with Nolan on Horn Island. Detectives knew that the individuals who traveled to the island with him were the last known people to see him alive. Their statements will become critical in establishing the timeline of Nolan's final hours and also determining exactly what happened before he disappeared. Among those interviewed was Warren Hudson, one of Nolan's closest friends. According to Hudson, the last time he saw Nolan was at approximately 3 p.m. that day. He told investigators that Nolan was cradling a girl in his arms. Hudson explained that the rest of the group had eventually left Horn Island at around 4:3 p.m. That's about an hour and a half gap. Because the boat had begun taking on water and was experiencing problems with its bilge pump. Faced with mechanical issues, the group decided that they needed to return to the mainland. Hudson maintained that Nolan made the decision to remain on the island instead of leaving with everyone else. According to his account, Nolan stayed behind with the young woman Katie while the others boarded the boat and then headed back to shore. Now that explanation was consistent with what investigators had been told initially, but it was one that Nolan's family found difficult to believe. Another issue that quickly drew attention was of course Nolan's cell phone, where questions began circulating about whether anyone had access his device after Nolan disappeared. Now Hudson strongly denied those allegations and he insisted that no one touch Nolan's phone before it was removed from the boat, placed inside his truck, and eventually returned to Nolan's family. Now once again, Hudson suggested that Nolan stayed behind. Why on earth would he be in possession of Nolan's phone? Had he truly stayed behind, wouldn't Nolan have his phone with him? He also denied claims made by the family attorney Ben Crump that messages or videos had been deleted from Nolan's phone, maintaining that the device had not been tampered with. So investigators spoke with another friend who was on the boat that day, Tristan Shepard. Shepard told authorities that he had actually left the island hours before Nolan disappeared. And this was after he became involved in a fight with people who were unrelated to Nolan or the group of friends that Nolan was with. According to Shepard, before leaving, he told Nolan that he loved him and he would see him later. He believed that he would reunite with Nolan after the holiday, never imagining it would be their final conversation. But after learning that Nolan had been reported missing, Shepard said he immediately joined the search efforts. He stated that he contacted Nolan's family. He offered his support and did everything he could to help locate his friend. Shepherd later expressed deep remorse over leaving the island early, saying he often wondered whether staying behind could have changed the outcome or prevented whatever happened to Nolan. Some parts of Shepard's account differed from what Nolan's parents had previously shared regarding their son's character, but also his behavior. His family questioned whether Nolan would have willingly remained on the island without his cell phone since the device had been left behind. To them, that detail did not fit with what they knew about their son, and only added to their doubts about the explanation they had been given. As investigators gathered more witness statements, they also learned that the gathering on Horn Island had been far larger than they believed. There was anywhere between 300 to 400 people who were on Horn Island that day. This was a massive holiday party, but the size of the crowd made the investigation even more difficult as detectives had to determine who had actually seen Nolan during his final hours, and they also had to separate reliable information from speculation. Several people at the gathering repeated the claim that Nolan had chosen to stay behind. Nolan's family firmly rejected that version of events. They insisted that their son would not have voluntarily separated himself from his group of friends and without his cell phone. From their perspective, these details failed to add up. As investigators compare the statements from Nolan's friends with the evidence they had collected, one thing became increasingly clear. The accounts of what happened on Horn Island answered some of the questions, but they also created many more. With conflicting narratives, missing pieces of the timeline, police continued working to determine what truly happened during Nolan Wells' final hours on Horn Island. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_13 30:35

They say he chose to stay behind for a girl. His mother reported him missing later that night.

SPEAKER_11 30:43

They're like on top of each other almost. Like, I mean, it was intense.

SPEAKER_13 30:48

Wells' college classmate, Lucas Avise, was with family and friends on a different boat that day.

SPEAKER_11 30:53

He may have been taken by the current.

SPEAKER_08 31:09

When people start to feel pressure, if they say anything, it's going to be attacked. No, no. Tell us we want to evaluate every aspect.

SPEAKER_13 31:22

A $125,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information that'll lead to an arrest and conviction.

SPEAKER_10 31:30

For days, search crews refused to give up hope finding Nolan Wells. But as the search entered its second day, multiple agencies returned that morning to Horn Island, determined to cover every possible square inch of the island. Just before 6 a.m., aircraft operated by the United Asian Navy took to the skies to assist with the search from above, while search boats were once again deployed to patrol the waters surrounding the island. The operation continued for hours, with the final search vessels leaving just before 8 a.m. Despite the extensive effort that no one knew whether Nolan would be found alive. But then at approximately 8 45 a.m. on July 6th, Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbatter announced that authorities had received a report that a body had been discovered at the northwestern tip of Horn Island. The body was located by a U.S. Park Service ranger who was participating in the search. As investigators responded to the scene, Nolan's family was asked to come to the Lake Mars Boat Launch. There, they were met by Sheriff Ledbetter and the Jackson County Coroner's office who informed them of the devastating discovery. Just after 11 a.m., Nolan's body was transported to the coroner's office in Pasagula, where a forensic examination would be conducted. The heartbreaking news soon became public and it spread like wildfire. Just before 1 p.m., Nolan's family confirmed his death on social media. His mother, Christine Wandsley, shared a message on her Facebook page confirming that the body found on Horn Island was her 18-year-old son, Nolan Wells. The search for Nolan had come to a tragic end, but the questions surrounding how he died were only a beginning with so many uncertainties surrounding this case. An autopsy was performed in hopes of determining exactly what happened to Nolan. What investigators hoped was that the autopsy would establish a clear cause of death and would help to explain the circumstances that led to Nolan's death. However, as the investigation continued, Nolan's family remained deeply concerned that they were not receiving enough answers and wanting a more thorough and transparent investigation, they decided to seek legal representation. And on July 7th, the family announced that they had retained nationally recognized civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who stated that the family wanted a complete and transparent investigation into Nolan's death. Now the findings of that autopsy were made public on July 22nd, and according to Ben Crump, the independent pathologist concluded that Nolan Wells' cause of death was undetermined. The report, however, was unable to identify a specific medical cause for his death based on the evidence available during the exam. One of the notable observations documented by the independent pathologist was an area of red discoloration on tissue located at the back of Nolan's head near the occipital bone. Although the discoloration was carefully noted in the report, the examination did not determine what had caused it, leaving investigators with an important question that still remains unanswered. The independent autopsy also revealed findings that generated significant public concern. According to the report, several major internal structures from the front of Nolan's neck were not present when the pathologist received his body. Now those throat structures reportedly included the trachea, the larnic cartilage, the thyroid horn, and the hyoid bone. Multiple news reports also stated that portions of Nolan's throat were missing when the second autopsy was done. Because those anatomical structures were unavailable during the independent autopsy, they could not be evaluated. The report itself did not explain why those structures were not present, and their absence became one of the most disgust aspects of this case. Without throat contents, the autopsy would not reveal whether Nolan had drowned, whether he was conscious or unconscious when his body entered the water, or whether he had been forced into the water. The report also did not explain the cause of the discoloration found at the back of Nolan's head. Questions also remain about the neck structures that were not available for the independent autopsy. Also, whether toxicology testing would provide some answers regarding what happened to Nolan during his final hours. The independent autopsy highlighted just how many uncertainties still surrounded the death of Nolan Wells, leaving his family continuing to seek answers about what truly happened to their son. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_09 37:54

Nolan Wells was found dead on Horn Island on Monday after being the last seen on July 4th, around 3 p.m. and did not return with the group of friends he was with. Attorney Ben Trump says that the legal team will conduct an independent review of the circumstances of Nolan's death and will press for the release of all records, witness accounts, and autopsy findings.

SPEAKER_08 38:17

This independent autopsy is so very important because we had his body flown from Mississippi to Washington, D.C. Because his family wanted to make sure that they had a doctor who had no ties to Mississippi law enforcement to do an independent examination of their son's body.

SPEAKER_09 38:45

Well, Texas County Sheriff John Lenbetter has said the investigation remains active and the cause of Wells' death has not been determined. We are hearing from Nolan Xavier Wells's parents for the first time since their son died. As the investigation continues, they say they want honesty, transparency, and answers about what happened.

SPEAKER_01 39:05

12 news.

SPEAKER_12 39:45

Nolan's mother, Christine Wandsley, fought back tears as she described a son who loved people and accepted everyone.

SPEAKER_02 40:06

He loved everybody.

SPEAKER_12 40:12

His father, Elmore Wandsley, says Nolan's war personality was known well beyond their family.

SPEAKER_14 40:23

Um personality. So Nolan is it's it's the funniest idiot in our family.

SPEAKER_12 41:03

Nolan's mother also thanked the community and everyone who has supported their family during this difficult time.

SPEAKER_10 41:10

Nolan Wells' case gained national outrage. There was another conversation. The role that race may have played in shaping the public's response. Nolan was the only black person among the group of friends he traveled with. This is a fact that quickly became a major focus for his family, community members, and civil rights advocates. Many members of the black community expressed concern after early public statements suggested that there was no indication of foul play before all of the forensic testing and the investigative work had even been completed. For many, these early comments felt premature, but they believed that investigators should allow the evidence to speak for itself before drawing conclusions, especially while so many important questions remains unanswered. Those concerns were amplified by Nolan's family and their attorney, who repeatedly called for a complete and transparent investigation into every aspect of this case. The family's mistrust has also been shaped by Mississippi's well documented history of racial tension. While no evidence has publicly established that race played a role in Nolan's death, many supporters have stated that Mississippi's history has made them cautious about accepting the conclusion that race did not play a factor without a thorough investigation. For Nolan's family, they want to ensure that the investigation is fair, transparent, and complete. The second portion of this is that most of those friends who were on the boat with Nolan, their parents are doctors, lawyers, judges, and are in high power positions because as of this recording, those friends have all deactivated their social media accounts. This case has generated widespread discussions throughout social media. Black activists, community leaders, and many online supporters question whether all of the circumstances surrounding Nolan's death have been fully investigated. But at the same time, the case also became the subject of speculation. From internet users. And while some discussions focused on these unanswered questions, there were others that drifted into misinformation and conspiracy theories that were not supported by verifiable evidence. The growing amount of online speculation makes it increasingly difficult to separate confirmed facts from unverified claims. Many people pointed to the circumstances surrounding Nolan's disappearance, a black teenager who vanished while spending the holiday in a predominantly white setting. This case resonated deeply with many people who believe that every unanswered question deserves the answer from the people who were on that boat. The public response has extended beyond social media. The Congressional Black Caucus called for an independent investigation. While thousands of people rallied behind Nolan's family, there was a GoFundMe campaign that was established to support the Wells family, which raised $320,000, reflecting the nationwide concern and solidarity shown by people who wanted to support the family's pursuit for answers. Many supporters say their hope remains the same, just as Nolan's family, to ensure that the truth about what happened to Nolan on Horn Island is fully uncovered. Nolan Wells' family and their attorney, Bankrupt, sat down with Good Morning America to talk about concerns that they have surrounding Nolan's death. His father talks about how at the July 4th outing with Nolan's last weekend to enjoy himself before he was slated to attend football camp training that Monday. Nolan's mother also talks about how she learned where Nolan's phone was and how the phone was actually turned over. They also spoke about the contradictions of Nolan arguing about his phone and leaving the island with a female friend, that that fact has come into question, including how Nolan's body washed ashore. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_07 46:49

And we can express our our how sorry we are. But you and your your family. First question, how do you two hold it up?

SPEAKER_03 46:57

Take it second by second.

SPEAKER_07 47:01

Second by second, day by day, which we all can understand. And I just want to ask you, the friends um that Nolan traveled to Horn Island with, they said that he stayed behind voluntarily. Why would he stay behind?

SPEAKER_03 47:17

That we cannot answer. I just I can't I can't fathom why he would.

SPEAKER_14 47:27

I don't know why he would. Um we always taught him to if you go with a group, you stay with a group. Um even when he was in college, um, he was a dad, well, we're gonna ride down to a party or something in in another city. And so I was uh telling, look, if you go with five, you come back with five. Do not separate from the group. So I always say safety is in numbers. And he always said, yes, sir. So he knew to stay with his group. So why would he split from his group? I don't know.

SPEAKER_07 47:59

So that would have been unusual for him to split from the group. And you said he would always check in with you. Did he check in with you that day?

SPEAKER_03 48:06

So that day, no, I don't, but of course, too, they were on the boat, and usually when he is out there, which is not uncommon, he's I think like since last year, they've he's been going there occasionally with his friends, and so it would always just be like, hey mom, I'm back, type of thing. But this time there was no call or text from him, it was from his friend.

SPEAKER_14 48:29

And then two, um, really didn't worry a lot about it because no it was the last weekend to have have fun because that Monday he had to report to school. We was trying to take him back for uh for camp for the season. So, you know, gonna see he wanna just have his have his last hurry before he locked down and get ready for the season. Because like I said, the entire summer he he he he's trying to he got more serious, he started to understand what I was trying to tell him about football not just being fun, but as you get farther in it, it becomes a business. If you want to accept it, you have to understand and have to understand both at the same time.

SPEAKER_07 49:07

And and we and we know Ben that that you said that you're gonna do an independent investigation. Yes. And you say you had Nolan's cell phone and messages were deleted. How can you tell messages were deleted?

SPEAKER_08 49:20

Well, his parents uh got the phone back, and that's something that's important, Michael, because they tracked this phone on life 360.

SPEAKER_03 49:28

So life 360, but whenever so when I received a phone call um from Warren, I immediately called my friend Toshima and I said, Hey, have you guys seen Nolan? Because her two sons, Jalen and Jay Vonley, they grew up together. They played um City League sports together. When they got into school, they played sports together. And so she was like, hey, like, okay, the boys were pulling up the location from Snapchat. So the Snapchat location looks completely different than the Life 360 location. So when I pulled up Life 360, it was different. It was showing everywhere the phone had been, like it had, I was like, well, it's showing that he's back on land, like I'm not. He's like, but no, he didn't come back with us.

SPEAKER_07 50:15

Well, how many did we get the phone?

SPEAKER_03 50:17

So we tracked it and uh my friend Toshima went and picked it up.

SPEAKER_08 50:23

It wasn't like they said we got his phone, they tracked it. And that uh highlights all these contradictions, Michael. The fact that they said Nolan was talking to a young woman, and she said that he said, I'm going back to get on the boat with the boys. The boy said that he said he was gonna stay with her, and so that's an obvious contradiction. And then this video of this uh, you can hear an argument going where Nolan is saying, give me my freaking phone. What are you freaking doing? And so then his phone ends up missing. I don't know any teenagers, Michael Straight, who says, if you believe that story, I'm gonna stay behind and I'm gonna leave my phone? I mean, no young person leaves their cell phone. And so then there's so many things that their parents are telling us about even why didn't his body wash up with the card on Sunday? Why would it come on Monday? It's not adding up. And that is the problem when you think about the history of Mississippi.

SPEAKER_07 51:29

Yeah, so there's so many questions that need to be answered. And is there anything you'd like people to know about Nolan? What would you like them to know about your son?

SPEAKER_14 51:41

Nolan Nolan was he was he was very loving. He was um he was liked by all. He it was it was not a friend that he couldn't make.

SPEAKER_10 51:54

As Nolan Wells case continued to receive national attention, the conversation surrounding his death extended far beyond the investigation. Social media became filled with opinions, speculation, and accusations, turning this case into a deeply polarized online topic. While many people used their platforms to call for justice and transparency, there were others who directed their anger towards the individuals connected to the case. As a result, both Nolan's family and some of the friends who had been with him on Horn Island became the targets of harassment, threats, and online abuse. According to Nolan's family, the weeks following his death were filled with hateful messages, racist comments, and even anonymous hate mail. They were unable to grieve privately because they found themselves dealing with constant online attacks while also searching for answers about what happened to their son and his mother Christine, said the harassment made an already heartbreaking situation even be more difficult. Rather than allowing this family to mourn, the threats forced them to deal with misinformation and hostility at the same time that they were coping with the loss of their son. Christine became the target of online harassment connected to her professional career. Following Nolan's death, her profile as a nurse practitioner was flooded with negative online reviews tied to the public attention surrounding the case rather than her professional work. Some of those reviews said would not recommend her. And then a second review claimed I do not feel Christine has my best interest. I should be treated the same as her patients that share her skin color. There was a third review that says I wouldn't trust her to care for anyone. I don't hate anyone that much to recommend her. The online hostility was not only directed at Nolan's family, but Warren Hudson, one of Nolan's friends, who had been on that boating trip and who called Christine to report Nolan missing, also said that he became the target of widespread harassment. Hudson stated that he received thousands of death threats after the case garnered national attention. And according to Hudson, the threats became so serious that he decided not to attend Nolan's funeral. He later explained that he feared his presence might attract or create further conflict or place others at risk during a service that was meant to honor his friend. But as those threats continued to escalate, the FBI became involved and they confirmed that they were investigating interstate threats that were connected to this case. There was one widely reported incident where a California man was arrested and charged after allegedly sending death threats to a Mississippi judge who is the mother of Lauren Hudson. The incident highlighted how the intense public interest in the case had crossed state lines into criminal conduct. Throughout this period, Christine repeatedly asked the public to show compassion and to allow the investigation to proceed without spreading hate or misinformation. She said that her family had lost a piece of their heart and urged people to respect their grief while investigators continue working to determine exactly what happened to Nolan. The investigation remains ongoing. The Wells family has continued to emphasize that their focus is not on the online speculation or public hostility, but on finding the truth and ensuring that there will be justice for Nolan Wells. Not only did this case garner national attention, but the case, the hate, and the vitriol for the Wells family caught the attention of Nancy Grace. And she had a message. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_15 56:53

Dear Lord in heaven, what is wrong with people? If this were your child, wouldn't you want to know what happened? He goes out with friends, they all come back, he's dead. I don't understand the hate directed toward Nolan's family and to everyone looking for answers. At this hour, I don't think anyone is guilty, but I do know that there is a conflict, a conflict in the stories, and we are not stopping until we know what happened to Nolan Wells. So you can send all the hate and vitriol you want.

SPEAKER_10 57:41

Have at it. On Monday, July 20th, 2026, there was a celebration of life service held for Nolan Wells at Center Point Church in Ocean Springs. His casket arrived before the 9 a.m. visitation hour. His family, friends, teammates, coaches, and members of the Ocean Springs community came together to honor a life that had been taken far and too soon. Although the circumstances surrounding Nolan's death remains under investigation, those who gathered for his memorial chose to focus on something just as important, remembering the kind young man he was and the impact he had on everyone, fortunate enough to know him. Hundreds of people attended the service. Some arrived by the bus low, united in grief, but also in celebration of Nolan's life, his character, and the legacy he left behind. Loved ones reflected not only on the unanswered questions surrounding his death, but the countless memories they shared with him throughout the service. Speaker after speaker described Nolan as a compassionate, respectful, big hearted, and faith-filled young man whose kindness touched everyone. They spoke about his humility, his willingness to help others without expecting anything in return, and the genuine warmth that made people feel welcomed in his presence. Rather than allowing the tragedy of his death to define him, they wanted those gathered to remember the remarkable person he had been during his eighteen years of life. His father spoke about how much pride he had in his son, while his mother urged mourners to be like Nolan. Nolan's football coaches remembered him as a dedicated athlete, who approached the game with discipline, determination, and an unwavering commitment to improving each day. They spoke about the bright future they believed awaited him, both on and off the field. Many recall that Nolan was the type of person who never hesitated to encourage others or offer a helping hand whenever someone needed support those personal stories and painted a picture of a young man whose character extended far beyond his athletic abilities. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_16 1:00:44

First, I want to give all thanks and honor and glory to God for choosing Elmore and me to be Nolan's parents. We thank you, Lord, for the beautiful 18 years that you blessed us with him. Thank you for the joy he brought not only to our family, but also to his friends and everyone in the community whose lives he touched. Nolan had such a gentle, calming spirit about him. He had a way of making people feel seen, welcome, and valued. He could lift your confidence with just a few words and make you feel like you belonged. If you ever had the privilege of meeting our son Nolan or calling him a friend, then you experienced a glimpse of God's love through him. He was both protective and nurturing. He often told us that one day he wanted to have three daughters that he would name Sophia, Charlotte, and Olivia. He had a deep love for the Lord and an unwavering faith that was evident in the way he lived his life. As much as our hearts are broken, we find peace in knowing that our son is resting in the arms of the Lord. We will miss everything about him. From his quiet nature to the corny jokes, his gentle smile, the way he made everyone around him feel comfortable, loved, and at ease. Your absence has left an emptiness that can never truly be filled. A piece of our hearts will always be missing. Nolan, your father and I are incredibly proud of you. We've always been proud of you, of the young man you were, and we will always be proud of the legacy of love, kindness, and faith that you have left behind. In a world that can often feel dark, be like Nolan. Be the light that brightens the lives of those around you. Be the warmth for those who may be feeling the coldness of the world. Love deeply, protect fiercely, and welcome others with kindness. And remain faithful knowing that God is always with you. Lastly, I ask that each of you keep Nolan's memory alive. Hold him close in your heart. Share his stories and never stop saying his name. As long as we continue to remember him, his light will continue to shine through us all. Nolan, we love you. We'll continue to fight for you. And until we meet again, and thank you all for coming.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:38

Thank you.

SPEAKER_10 1:03:40

When I think of Nolan Wells, I can't help but to think of my own son. And the way that Nolan was described as a person would be exactly the way that many people have described my son. Calm, kind-hearted, outgoing, sociable, and never met a stranger. How can you have a son and hear this story and it not pierce your heart? I have the unique ability to put myself and other people's shoes. I know we live in a world where people only think about themselves, their family, and their kids. But let's pause for a moment and put yourself in Nolan Wells' parents' shoes. What if this was your son? Wouldn't you want justice? Wouldn't you want some answers? Would you rest knowing that this entire situation does not add up? Whenever you send your kids somewhere, or whenever your kids go out to have a good time, you never imagine that the unimaginable could happen. It's many people saying that's why your kids shouldn't hang around certain races and shouldn't be around certain people. Well, I'm gonna say this this world is not just made up of who is in your town and your backyard. Something could happen to your child hanging out with people that look like them. But in this case, something in the milk ain't clean here, and someone knows something. The people who know what happened to Nolan were on that boat. Now there have been conflicting stories. These kids have deactivated their social media, and they say that they don't remember. So you mean to tell me you remember the entire day up until this young man. went missing. What a coincidence. Make it make sense. When Nolan Wells left home on the fourth of July, his family had no reason to believe that he would not return home. This young man was eighteen years old, a college student, a football player. He was a son who hugged his mother, kissed her goodbye, and told her that he loved her. But she had no idea that this would be the last time that she would ever see her son. Two days later Nolan's body washed ashore and almost one month later the question still remains what happened to Nolan Wells? I hope and pray that we never stop asking that question. We will not let this rest. What happened to that baby? Why hasn't a grand jury subpoena everyone on that boat to give their testimony on what happened? I don't care whether their parents are doctors, lawyers, astronauts, bring them all in and we need to hear what happened that day. Because how can you go to sleep every night or look in the mirror every day knowing that you left your friend out there in that water and something happened and you didn't report it. That is where the shame lies. All of you ought to be ashamed. You took him out on the island he should have came back with you all in one piece. But the onus is on the people who were on that boat. We know that Nolan traveled to that island with friends. We know that sometime during the afternoon the boat that carried them started to have issues. We know that a distressed caller contacted the Sea toe. And what we heard on that call should be reason enough for their asses to be brought in the caller said there was approximately seven people on that boat. Round up all seven and bring them in. Because when that boat came back to the mainland Nolan was not on it and one of you if not all of y'all asses know what happened to Nolan. But what did you guys do? You allegedly had enough time to come up with a story and someone allegedly erased text messages and video from his phone. What about this says that this is not a cover up then you all said that Nolan chose to stay on an island with a female friend and that female friend was interviewed and she had a different account. Nolan did not stay behind with her. Now that contradiction does not prove that there was a crime the contradictions the lies the selective amnesia that you can't remember anything and the deactivation of your social media accounts what's going on here because don't you think that this family they deserve to know what happened to their child there are several possible explanations for what happened. It could have been an accident but if it was why hide it but here is where my issue lies did you hear that 911 call let's go back over that very briefly what could be heard on that call was disgusting and disturbing. You could clearly hear someone saying can we cover it up um handcuffs yeah I thought about all of that handcuffs oh you killed him handcuffs he's already dead handcuffs what are we talking about here I don't know what's going on in Mississippi but this ain't right this is not right and the world will hold the state of Mississippi accountable. Where is Nolan Wells's throat contents and why the hell has that not been given for the independent autopsy the throat contents will definitely be the determining factor on whether this young man drowned, whether if there was water in the lungs, which would indicate that he drowned or if there was no water in the lungs which would indicate that he was placed in the water after he died why are we keeping this what are we covering up what are we hiding this is ridiculous there's a family grieving over their son what's the holdup on rounding those kids up and having them testify before a grand jury how is it that a mother loses her son you have internet trolls who are leaving her negative reviews that will affect her professional career all because she lost her son. She's mourning her son but you nasty internet trolls are on the internet blaming this family for their son's death I have one question. Are y'all okay? You can't be right in the head to get online to send death threats to this family because they lost their son and everyone is pointing out the obvious you got one black child with seven other white kids but he's the one who turns up dead you're talking about a young man that came from a good two parent home with two professional parents who took good care of him who raised him right but you're harassing them and they have to bury their child. You get to tuck your child in at night you get to see your child graduate from college walk across the stage have kids get married they had to bury theirs but you're harassing them this young man was someone's son's baby someone's friend he had parents that expected him to come home but instead they were left with a body with missing parts planning a funeral conflicting accounts questions with no answers and they still had to bury their son with no closure no resolution the question that Nolan Wells's parents want to know desperately is what happened to my child we can acknowledge the racial implications but we need answers. We can question the inconsistencies but we need answers and we need to support this family seeking justice does not mean threatening doxing or harassing anyone in this case we're still asking one question almost a month later what happened to Nolan Wells? But until that question is answered with evidence, transparency and care, Nolan's story is not finished and we will not let this go. My heart aches for his parents my heart goes out to Nolan Wells' family his friends his teammates his coaches and his community I hope and pray that those friends' hearts are somehow moved that they will tell the truth of what happened that day. The truth will always set you free. Nolan Wells deserved to live his life he deserved his future and my heart breaks for him but Nolan Wells will never be forgotten. Justice for Nolan Wells Nolan may your sweet kinds for tuning in to another episode of Senseless True Crime we appreciate every listen every message and every story you send our way you can reach the show anytime at senseless true crime at gmail.com and don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook at senseless true crime podcasts. And until next time stay safe stay informed and please take care of yourselves