Investigation underway into death of Mississippi 18-year-old who vanished on July 4 boating trip

The family of Nolan Wells, whose body was found Monday on Horn Island, doesn’t believe his death was accidental, attorney Ben Crump said. A cause of death is pending.

A Fourth of July celebration ended in tragedy this week when a Mississippi teenager on a boating trip with friends disappeared and his body washed ashore days later, officials have said.

Subscribe to read this story ad-free

Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.

An investigation is underway into the death of Nolan Xavier Wells, 18, as scrutiny of the circumstances has swirled online.

Wells was last seen boating with friends around 3 p.m. Saturday on Horn Island, a barrier reef off Mississippi accessible only by boat, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department said. He was wearing blue swim trunks and sunglasses.