"They deserve the truth": Nolan Wells' family hires attorney Ben Crump as death investigation takes a dramatic new turn

Eighteen-year-old Nolan Wells went to Horn Island with friends on the Fourth of July and never came back. His body was recovered from the water near the Mississippi barrier island on Monday morning, and four days later, his family has retained one of America's most recognized civil rights attorneys to make sure the investigation doesn't quietly fade away.

Ben Crump confirmed Tuesday he has taken the case, calling for a thorough and transparent inquiry into what happened to the Ocean Springs teenager.

Why did Nolan Wells' family hire Ben Crump?

Ben Crump's name carries weight. His firm has represented the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Jacob Blake -- cases that reshaped national conversations about accountability and justice. In Mississippi specifically, he is already working on behalf of the family of Trey Reed, a Delta State student found hanging from a tree in September 2025, and the family of one-year-old Kohen Wiley, killed in an officer-involved shooting in Senatobia last month.His involvement in Nolan's case signals the family isn't waiting around for answers to come on their own timeline."Nolan Wells was a beloved son, teammate and friend who went out to celebrate the Fourth of July and never came home," Crump said in a statement. "His family deserves answers. They deserve the truth."He went further: "We will not rest until every fact about what happened to Nolan on Horn Island is brought into the light, and we call on investigators to pursue this case with the urgency and transparency this family deserves."

No cause or manner of death has been established. Wells' body was transported to the Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office and underwent an autopsy Tuesday, but results have not been released.

What is the Jackson County Sheriff's Department investigating?

The Jackson County Sheriff's Department is asking the public for help. Sheriff John Ledbetter took to social media Tuesday urging anyone who was near Horn Island on July 4 to come forward with information, specifically requesting original, unedited photos or videos from the northwest tip of the island, accounts of any arguments or disturbances, and any sightings of or interactions with Wells.Investigators are also looking into a video that circulated online appearing to show an argument on the island the same day Wells went missing. Whether it connects to his death remains unclear.Ledbetter acknowledged the wave of speculation spreading online but was firm about sticking to verified facts. "Our investigators are working to establish the facts through eyewitness accounts, physical evidence, and other reliable information," he said, urging the public to stop sharing unverified claims that could compromise the investigation.The sheriff's office has asked anyone with relevant information to contact the department directly.