Coroner Identifies 18-Year-Old Nolan Wells by Dental Records as Family Hires Ben Crump
Updated
Updated · WLOX · Jul 7
Coroner Identifies 18-Year-Old Nolan Wells by Dental Records as Family Hires Ben Crump
3 articles · Updated · WLOX · Jul 7
Summary
Dental records confirmed Tuesday that the body found Monday off Horn Island was 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells, Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd said.
An autopsy was completed Tuesday, but officials said cause and manner of death remain pending for a couple of weeks while toxicology results are processed; investigators told ABC News they currently suspect drowning.
Ben Crump’s team said Wells’ family has retained the attorney to conduct an independent review and seek the timely release of records, witness accounts and autopsy findings.
Jackson County investigators are still interviewing friends who were with Wells after he was last seen near Horn Island around 3 p.m. July 4, and have asked for photos, videos and eyewitness accounts of any unusual activity that day.
The case has drawn a multiagency search response and broad community mourning, with Wells’ former high school and college issuing statements after his death was confirmed.