CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 22: People listen as attorney Ben Crump holds a press conference with Elmore Wonsley and Christine Wells-Wonsley, the parents of Nolan Wells, at the annual NAACP National Convention to announce the results of an independent autopsy as they investigate the death of Wells on July 22, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. Eighteen-year-old Wells was found dead two days after he disappeared during a July 4th boat trip to Horn Island off the coast of Mississippi with a group of high school friends. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Less than a month after Nolan Wells‘ death, the internet streets haven’t stopped demanding answers and justice. Amid the public’s investment in the case, Attorney Ben Crump provided updates in a media conference on Thursday (July 30). He revealed that the family has hired experts to dig into the known facts.
Attorney Ben Crump kicked off the media conference by shouting for justice for three Black families, including that of Nolan Wells. Then, Marc Morial, the president and CEO of the National Urban League, took over the mic. Morial spoke of the courage emanating from the families on stage, the loneliness that comes with this fight, and how his organization is standing behind these families.
Then, Ben Crump informed the audience that his team obtained the viral Sea Tow phone call and had retained audio engineers to perform a forensic audio analysis. Additionally, their team is consulting with ocean engineering experts to investigate how and where Nolan Wells’ body was found and whether it makes sense given low and high tides near Horn Island.
“It’s not adding up. So we are going to dot every I and cross every T until we find out what happened to Nolan Wells,” Crump said.
Clinging to her husband, Nolan Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, nodded her head up and down as Ben Crump spoke.
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Additionally, Attorney Ben Crump said they’re coordinating with the medical examiner who conducted the independent autopsy to be able to inspect Nolan Wells’ throat. As previously reported, parts of the 18-year-old’s throat were missing when his body was sent to Washington, D.C., from Mississippi for the independent autopsy.
“We are dotting Is and crossing Ts, we are focused on getting to the truth. Me and everybody on my legal team stand for the truth, no matter who it implicates or who it exonerates. We stand for justice, no matter who it convicts or who it acquits,” Crump said. “We are saying we want to make sure everybody who is remotely involved has the questions answered to make sure we have a full and fair and impartial and transparent investigation. And is that too much to ask for these broken-hearted parents?”
Crump said no one on his side is getting distracted by the backlash, thr
As mentioned, this call has been taking over social media in recent days, especially after an independent audio engineer, Jeanetta Brantley, cleaned it up, making the background noise audible. The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) initially released the audio. During the nine-minute call, one of the teens who traveled to Horn Island with Nolan Wells informed dispatch that their boat was sinking due to a bilge pump issue. Aside from the conversation with dispatch, the viral version of the audio features other voices in the background. At one point, someone allegedly says, “Wyatt, check his chest.”Other alleged phrases and words like “Wake the f*ck up,” “Nolan,” and “Nolan, don’t die” are seemingly heard as well.
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Ultimately, Sea Tow never arrived to assist the sinking boat. That’s because a man named Jerry Adkerson, reportedly the boat operator’s grandfather, called to cancel. Instead, a friend named Bart Edmiston Jr. towed the boat, according to a statement released by his family. Bart’s family has also retained a lawyer and denied allegations that he caused Nolan Wells’ death. Instead, they claim, he’s been overly cooperative with law enforcement. Their statement said they’re going after anyone spreading alleged misinformation about Bart.
