The sheriff overseeing the investigation into the disappearance and death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells says authorities will not rush their work, even as public speculation grows over what happened in the teen’s final hours.
Wells, a promising football player, was found dead last Monday, two days after he vanished during a Fourth of July boating trip with friends. Investigators have released few details about the circumstances surrounding his death, leaving unanswered questions to fuel rumors in the days since his body was discovered.
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said the demand for answers is understandable, but emphasized that the investigation must remain careful and fact-driven.
“Nolan Wells’ family deserves a thorough and factual investigation, and that’s exactly what they’re going to get,” Ledbetter told ABC News on Monday.
“I think it is important that we do not put ourselves on a timetable and we do not rush ourselves, but I also think it is important to be diligent in gathering all of the facts,” he added.
Ledbetter also appealed to the public for help, urging anyone who may know something about Wells’ disappearance or his time on Horn Island to come forward.
“Even if you may think that it might be insignificant. Every little bit helps, and that may be a bigger contribution than you think to this case,” the sheriff said.
Wells, who played wide receiver at Southwest Mississippi Community College, had traveled with friends to Horn Island before he disappeared. Ledbetter previously said investigators believed Wells may have decided to remain on the island instead of returning to the mainland.
But the cop’s narrative appears to be at odds with one of Wells’ pals who was with him on July 4.
“I’ve never known Nolan to stay back while his friends leave,” Jayvon Williams told CNN.
“He’s always been a guy where if he rode with you, he’s going to come back with you. That’s always how he’s been every single time.”
Tracestin Shepherd, a 20-year-old man who was also with Wells on July 4, claimed his group, which included the teen, had been boozing – despite being underage.
Ledbetter said rumors “have been brought to our attention,” without commenting further.
“We act on the information that we get, and we’re looking for factual information, witness, firsthand witness knowledge that we could use to this case,” he said.
Wells’ cause of death has not been confirmed. Investigators suspect that he drowned – but autopsy results are still pending.
Top civil rights lawyer Ben Crump revealed last week an independent autopsy would be carried out as he vowed to get the truth for Wells’ family.
“It’s a lived experience for many Black Americans that often times when our children are killed in highly-questionable situations, there is this notion that there was nothing wrong, no foul play, let’s just sweep it under the rug,” he said at a Harlem press conference Friday.
“We refuse to let them sweep it under the rug. We refuse that Nolan Wells’ death be in vain. We’re going to make sure we get to the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, because Nolan Wells deserves it.”
Results of the independent autopsy were expected Friday – but canceled flights sparked delays, Crump said.
Wells’ mom Christine Wonsley was wary when authorities told her that her son’s death was likely an accidental drowning.
“Why are we so quick to rush to this?” she asked.
Crump also voiced potential discrepancies with the timetable as Wells’ body was not found until Monday, as opposed to the next day.
“His body should have been there on July 5,” he said.
“Why would it not appear until July 6? If he stayed back on the island, there were boats there. There were people. It’s just not adding up.”
Reports had surfaced claiming Wells was involved in a bust-up before his disappearance and a video went viral – but Shepherd has downplayed this.
Crump claimed Wells demanded “Give me my freaking phone” but Shepherd claimed it was him yelling.
“It’s me yelling – my exact word is ‘Get me off this f–king boat,’” Shepherd told Rolling Stone.
“I wanted to fight, and I’d felt like I hadn’t had my fair share.”
He claimed he was having words with his girlfriend when another man criticized him.
