A man places a photograph of Nolan Xavier Wells in front of the podium before a news conference during the 117th NAACP National Convention at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, on July 22, 2026. Civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump unveiled the preliminary findings of an independent autopsy conducted on behalf of the Wells family. Wells, an 18-year-old Mississippi college student, was found dead after a boat trip with friends on July 4. (Photo by Octavio Jones / AFP via Getty Images)
Nolan Wells’friend is speaking out as online speculation continues to swirl around his name. Now, Bart Edmiston Jr. and his family are pushing back against the claims, with legal action on the table after what they call a wave of fabricated accusations.
A friend of Nolan Wells, Bart Edmiston Jr., is reportedly lawyering up after a viral photo and online theories attempted to connect him to Nolans death. Attorney Russell Latino says the photo circulating online does show Bart with a young woman, but he insists the woman is not Katie McCormick someone social media users have tried to romantically link to both Bart and Nolan. Latino also says Bart never dated Katie and did not know who she was before Nolans death.
Latino is also pushing back on claims that Bart had any involvement in Nolans death, saying there is no evidence to support those allegations. According to the attorney, Bart helped a boat in distress on July 4 and fully cooperated with investigators by providing access to his boat, GPS device, phone, photos, videos, and answering questions about what happened that day.
In a statement shared by Latino on Facebook, the Edmiston family expressed condolences to Nolans loved ones while saying they remained quiet out of respect for the investigation. However, they said recent attacks against Bart Jr. forced them to address what they describe as dangerous speculation and outright fabrications.
The family claims Bart was among the many people who traveled to Horn Island for the holiday and says he assisted a boat experiencing mechanical issues by helping drain water from the vessel and towing it briefly. They added that Bart was never identified as a suspect and voluntarily worked with law enforcement throughout the investigation. The family also says Bart received a credible death threat amid the online accusations and that they have retained legal counsel to pursue action against people they believe spread false claims. They say they are working with authorities, including the FBI and local law enforcement, to address alleged threats and potential cyberstalking concerns.
Photos circulating online have sparked new speculation surrounding Bart Edmiston Jr. and Katie McCormick, with some social media users questioning whether the two have a past connection. However, the claims remain part of online discussion and speculation, while Barts attorney has denied that the two ever dated or that Bart even knew Katie before Nolan Wells death.
Bart, 21, has become a name frequently discussed online amid the ongoing conversation surrounding Nolans case. Some internet users have raised questions about his connection to the events of July 4, while others have focused on his reported role in helping a boat in distress and his cooperation with investigators. Online theories have also attempted to connect Bart and Katie romantically, with some users speculating about a possible motive. However, Barts legal team has pushed back on those claims, stating that the rumors are based on false information and that there is no evidence linking Bart to Nolans death.
