Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 20
Nolan Wells Funeral Draws Calls for Full Probe as Family Seeks Independent Autopsy for 18-Year-Old
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 20

Nolan Wells Funeral Draws Calls for Full Probe as Family Seeks Independent Autopsy for 18-Year-Old

3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 20

Summary

  • Ocean Springs mourners gathered Monday for Nolan Wells' funeral as his parents, Rev. Al Sharpton and attorney Ben Crump pressed for answers in the 18-year-old's death.
  • Authorities say there is no indication of a crime and believe Wells drowned after a July 4 boat trip to Horn Island, where officials say he stayed behind before his body was recovered two days later.
  • The coroner's autopsy is still pending, and Wells' family has sent his body to Washington for an independent autopsy while the Jackson County Sheriff's Office says it welcomes outside scrutiny.
  • Tyler Perry paid for the funeral, and the case has drawn national attention as supporters frame the investigation as a test of whether Wells' family will get a full accounting of what happened.

Insights

Two autopsies, deleted messages: What really happened to the college athlete who vanished from a boat trip with friends?
His friends say he chose to stay. Can digital forensics and a second autopsy uncover the truth about his mysterious death?