
July 16th, 2026
The family of Nolan Wells will work with a local prosecutor to inspect his phone.
Nolan Wells was a Black teenager who died after a boat trip on July Fourth.
The family previously said messages seemed erased from the phone before they got it back.
They met with District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath on Wednesday.
Attorney Ben Crump said McIlrath promised to present the investigation to a grand jury.
Wells traveled to Horn Island with friends but did not return with them.
His mother reported him missing on July 5.
His body was found near the island the next day.
Officials first said they did not suspect a crime.
An official autopsy is still waiting.
The family has asked why friends left Wells behind but took his keys and phone.
They got his phone from a friend's home on July 4.
Crump said an expert will try to recover data from the phone with investigators.
The Congressional Black Caucus has asked for an independent investigation.
July 16th, 2026

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