The family of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Mississippi teenager who died under mysterious circumstances, is pushing for answers after an independent autopsy is expected to shed light on the case. Attorney Ben Crump will reveal preliminary findings during a news conference at the 117th NAACP National Convention in Chicago, where he will be joined by Wells' parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley.
A $50,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case, with civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton providing the funds. The announcement comes days after the NAACP adopted a resolution urging authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into Wells' death.
The case has drawn growing national attention, with prominent figures rallying behind Wells' family. Crump and Sharpton have called for a thorough investigation, while cautioning against drawing premature conclusions. "We cannot say it was racist, but we cannot say it was not racist," Sharpton said during Wells' funeral.
A previously unseen video, released by TMZ, shows a gathering on Horn Island on July 4, where Wells disappeared after traveling by boat with friends. The footage pans across dozens of boats and people in the water before briefly focusing on an individual who TMZ identified as Wells. However, the video's authenticity and the identity of the person shown have not been independently verified.
Wells' disappearance and death have raised questions, including why his cellphone and keys were found with his friends and why local officials initially dismissed the possibility of foul play. The official autopsy has not yet been released, making the independent autopsy findings expected to be shared publicly on Wednesday a crucial development in the case.
The family continues to press for answers, and Fox News Digital has filed public records requests with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources' Marine Patrol seeking records related to the response to Wells' disappearance and death.
