Lawyers for the family of a Black teenager who disappeared during a July Fourth boat trip to an island off the Mississippi coast stated they would collaborate with a local prosecutor's office to review the contents of his cellphone as the investigation into his death continues.

The family of Nolan Wells previously alleged that messages appeared to have been deleted from his phone before they recovered it, one of several concerns they have raised about the circumstances and investigation into his death.

On Wednesday, they convened with District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath, primarily to deliberate on the investigative procedure.

However, attorney Ben Crump stated that McIlrath also committed to submitting the findings to a grand jury upon the investigation's conclusion.

Efforts to elicit a response from McIlrath's office proved futile.

"The hope is that when this is presented to the grand jury, all relevant witnesses and evidence will be put before them, so we can have a fair and impartial investigation into the death of Nolan Wells," Crump said.

"Our lived experiences tell us that we must question everything, everyone's role, and law enforcement's role.

That is the lived experience as Black people in America."

According to Ronald Rychlak, a law professor at the University of Mississippi, most felony cases in the state are referred to a grand jury.

A grand jury, he explained, typically consists of 15 to 25 citizens who evaluate the prosecutor's evidence to determine whether sufficient grounds exist for an indictment.

Wells had traveled to the island with friends but failed to return with them when they left around 3 p.m.

Conflicting accounts have been given as to whether he planned to remain on Horn Island, about 7 miles (11 kilometers) offshore, to talk to a girl — or to return with those friends.

The approximately 11-mile-long (17-kilometer-long) spit of land is situated near the Alabama state line.

According to officials, the island, which remains uninhabited and accessible exclusively by boat, has gained popularity as a venue for parties and gatherings.

Wells’ mother reported him missing shortly after midnight on July 5.

The following day, boat and rescue crews initiated search operations, and Wells’ body was subsequently recovered in the waters adjacent to the island.

Speculation and suspicion surrounding the teenager's death have proliferated online, as individuals contend with the state's legacy of racial tension and the implications of being a Black person in a predominantly white environment.

Family members and attorneys have stated that, based on photographs and videos from the Fourth of July gathering on the island—where nearly 200 people had assembled—Wells was among the very few Black individuals present.

The Congressional Black Caucus also weighed in on Wednesday, adding its voice to the growing demands for an independent investigation into the death.

Officials from the Jackson County Sheriff's Department and other agencies were prompt to assert that they harbored no suspicions of foul play in his death.

An official autopsy's results remain pending, and the investigation continues, authorities reported.

Both the family's legal representatives and investigators from the Jackson County Sheriff's Department have urged witnesses or anyone with video from the island to come forward, as they seek to clarify the circumstances surrounding the moments before Wells' disappearance and death.

Wells, who would have turned 19 next month, attended Southwest Mississippi Community College, where he played as a wide receiver on the football team.

His family has called for a more thorough investigation, noting that he was capable of swimming.

They have also raised questions about why his friends would abandon him while taking his keys and phone.

Family members retrieved his phone from the home of one of Wells’ friends on the evening of July 4, having utilized a locator app to track it down.

His family stated that their son was an avid Snapchat user, yet there were no posts or messages from the roughly 24 hours preceding its recovery.

Crump had previously stated that he intended to commission an expert to ascertain whether data could be retrieved from the phone or social media platforms.

On Wednesday, he confirmed that this process will proceed in collaboration with investigators from the prosecutor's office.

Rychlak, the law professor, noted that reciprocal access to evidence between law enforcement and the victim's family is uncommon.

Evidence is secured and is not ordinarily disclosed, Rychlak stated, adding that collaboration between the family and law enforcement could expedite the investigation.

Wells’ death has galvanized the Black community.

Actor and producer Tyler Perry is contributing to the cost of Wells’ funeral.

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick is funding his independent autopsy, and filmmaker Spike Lee attended a press conference last week in solidarity with Wells’ family.

Wells' mother, Christine Wonsley, remarked on Wednesday that they envisage Monday's funeral as a tribute to their son's life.

"He would not have wanted us to sit around mourning and indulging in comfort food, so we intend to hold a celebration in his honor," she stated.