A Friend Breaks His Silence

Weeks after 18-year-old Nolan Wells vanished during a Fourth of July boat trip to Mississippi’s Horn Island, a friend who calls himself Wells’ best friend is offering new details about the moments leading up to his disappearance.

Repeated Pleas to Get on the Boat

Warren Hudson told The Post that after the group’s boat began taking on water due to a bilge pump issue, Wells was urged multiple times to get on board before it departed. According to Hudson, one panicked friend shouted for Nolan to get on the boat immediately, but Wells insisted he would stay behind and catch a ride with another group later.

A Boat Forced to Leave

Hudson explained that the boat was towed away from the island around 4:30 p.m. after taking on roughly six inches of water. Speaking to conservative commentator Brandon Tatum, Hudson recounted friends repeatedly telling Wells that if he wanted to come with them, he needed to leave immediately, an offer he ultimately declined.

Addressing the Phone Questions

Hudson also pushed back on suspicions surrounding Wells’ phone, which had raised concerns for the family after they found no photos or videos on his Snapchat. He explained that visitors to Horn Island typically leave their phones behind or on boats, since the murky, rain-affected water made carrying a phone impractical while wading. He noted that most photos from trips like this are typically taken while still on the boat, not while swimming.

The Night Concerns Began

Hudson said he and friends first grew concerned about Wells’ whereabouts later that night while gathered at a friend’s house. He said he reached out to obtain contact information for Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, and spoke with her around 11 p.m. after realizing she also hadn’t heard from her son. Hudson said he then contacted the Coast Guard, believing his call may have been the first anyone had made to alert authorities.

A Funeral Two Weeks Later

Wells was laid to rest Monday during a hometown funeral, exactly two weeks after his body was recovered. His mother spoke emotionally during the service, surrounded by photos and sports jerseys, asking mourners to help keep her son’s memory alive.

New Autopsy Details Emerge

Preliminary findings from an independent autopsy released this week listed Wells’ cause and manner of death as undetermined, with the date of death also unknown. Forensic pathologist Dr. Roger Mitchell noted a 12-by-8-inch area of red discoloration on the back of Wells’ head, a finding that could suggest trauma, though decomposition and the absence of related injuries left the results inconclusive.

Official Results Still Pending

According to the Jackson County district attorney’s office, the official autopsy findings will not be publicly released until they’ve been reviewed by a grand jury.

As new accounts continue to emerge from those who were with Wells that day, his family and investigators alike continue working toward a clearer picture of exactly what happened in his final hours.

Source: New York Post