OCEAN SPRINGS, MS (GC Wire) – What began as a Fourth of July boating trip to Horn Island has become one of the nation’s most closely watched death investigations after the body of Ocean Springs native Nolan Wells was discovered on Monday. The case has drawn national attention from activists, Hollywood celebrities and members of Congress, while sparking sharply divided reactions across social media and cable news over the circumstances surrounding Wells’ death and the calls for an independent investigation.
Wells’ parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley, were joined Friday in New York City by civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Rev. Al Sharpton, who called for a full, transparent investigation and announced they are pursuing an independent review of the case.
The involvement of Crump and Sharpton has elevated the case to the national stage, drawing support from those demanding greater transparency while also prompting criticism from others who argue the investigation has become politicized before authorities have released their findings.
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said preliminary investigations show no signs of foul play, but stated more information will be known after the autopsy results are released.
Because Wells was the only black member of the group, some online commentators have alleged that racism played a role in his death. Those claims have surfaced despite Wells and the others being described as close friends, and authorities have not identified evidence of a racial motive.
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell has said there is “no indication” race played a role in the death and cautioned about social media postings.
“What I would tell folks is when you get on social media and you rant and rave and you intimidate and you create false narratives, there’s going to be the possibility that witnesses don’t come forward because they don’t want to be part of that,” Tindell said in an interview with SuperTalk on Thursday.
Watch the Press Conference
Below is the complete replay of Friday’s press conference in New York regarding the death investigation of Nolan Wells.
One way to divide a community is by that man. He is only here to make it about him and someones skin pigment. Nolan was loved by everyone no matter what they looked like. I hope his family knows this. However Al will try and divide us and make his family feel alone in this horrible, tragic time. But Al’s satanist nails are already in them, sooo sad!!! Praying for the family to see this and get away from him as fast as possible!!!!!!