Investigation underway into death of Mississippi 18-year-old who vanished on July 4 boating trip

U.S. newsInvestigation underway into death of Mississippi 18-year-old who vanished on July 4 boating trip The family of Nolan Wells, whose body was found Monday on Horn Island, doesn’t accept that his death was an accidental drowning, attorney Ben Crump said. A cause of death is pending.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Add NBC News to GoogleGrowing questions in Mississippi teen’s death02:06Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJuly 9, 2026, 11:38 PM EDT / Updated July 9, 2026, 11:41 PM EDTBy Marlene LenthangA Fourth of July celebration ended in tragedy this week when a Mississippi teenager on a boating trip with friends disappeared and his body washed ashore days later, officials have said. Subscribe to read this story ad-freeGet unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.An investigation is underway into the death of Nolan Xavier Wells, 18, as scrutiny of the circumstances has swirled online. Wells was last seen boating with friends around 3 p.m. Saturday on Horn Island, a barrier reef off Mississippi accessible only by boat, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department said. He was wearing blue swim trunks and sunglasses. Nolan Xavier Wells on Horn Island, where he was last seen, on Saturday.Jackson County Sheriff's DepartmentWells’ mother reported him missing that night after he did not return on the boat with the rest of the group, according to Ben Crump, the prominent civil rights attorney retained by Wells’ family.A two-day search was launched that included the National Park Service, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Coast Guard.A U.S. park ranger found his body Monday at the northwestern tip of the island, Crump said.The Jackson County Coroner’s Office confirmed to NBC News that the body was identified as that of Wells. A cause of death has not been determined pending autopsy and toxicology reports.His family is trying to piece together what happened on the boat and learn why he was left alone.We...