AP Photo/John Amis
Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo & Morgan Seymour are sharing their regret following the passing of their friend, Nolan Wells.
On the evening of Monday, August 11, Officer Tatum released a sit-down interview with Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo, and Morgan Seymour via his YouTube channel. Initially, the trio discussed the impact of the death of their friend, Nolan Wells, their public’s suspicion of their involvement, and the impact it has had on their lives.
Seymour noted that it feels like their life has stopped, while Pitalo added that it’s been a “flip upside down.” Specifically, Hudson noted that they’ve been unable to go out in public because their heads “are always on a swivel.”
“…I know my friends have had encounters in public. The threats have been insane,” Hudson added. “… It’s unbelievable where this has been taken to and the level of where this is at.”
As the conversation continued, the trio’s lawyer, Edward Paltzik, maintained that his clients “did nothing wrong” nor had anything to do with the passing of Nolan Wells. Still, per Hudson, he and his friends have reportedly been in situations where they felt their lives were at risk and had to leave certain locations.
Around the 15-minute mark, Officer Tatum asked the group how they think things “should have played out” amid Wells’ death, and how they believe it should have been “put out to the world.”
“So, first off, I wish that none of this would have ever happened. I wish that Nolan could still be here with us today,” Pitalo explained before adding. “I feel like his mom blasting us on social media from the get-go… that’s where it first started to take off. And then also the fact that she posted a picture of me and Morgan and another guy and Nolan on the boat together, blasting that out there, pushing this narrative… I wish that would have never happened either.”
Specifically, Pitalo said that if those events had never happened, the incident wouldn’t have gone as “viral” as it did. Furthermore, Pitalo even alleged that Wells’ dad, Elmore Wonsley, has also been more familiar with him than he previously noted.
“I wish we would have never went out on the Fourth of July because I know this wouldn’t have happened. Nolan wouldn’t be gone. It’s just really hard to think about ’cause it’s like, ‘I wish I would have done this different,’… cause now one of my brothers passed away,” Hudson explained.
Still, he noted that he was the one who called the Coast Guard and informed Wells’ mom.
“I wish it wouldn’t have been reported as some type of race thing. I think it’s really bad that people are pushing the narrative… obviously, it’s not. I mean, this was like a brother to us… I wish this wasn’t pushed on the media, as ‘This is a bunch of white guys that killed a Black guy,'” he continued.
Hudson noted that “from the beginning, no one had facts.”
“I know we did everything right and nothing wrong,” Hudson added.
As The Shade Room previously reported, the body of Nolan Wells was found on July 6, 2026. This, two days after he traveled out to Horn Island on July 4th with Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo, and Morgan Seymour. Over a month later, questions remain about why the teen allegedly remained on Horn Island when his friends left. Additionally, questions remain on whether he drowned or was murdered.
At this point, the results of the state’s official autopsy and toxicology report remain sealed. Furthermore, an independent autopsy conducted by the Wells family remains inconclusive. Nonetheless, a legal defense campaign has been launched by Hudson, Pitalo, and Seymour as answers in the case remain awaited. Most recently, Dr. Umar has shared his thoughts on the investigation thus far.
