On the day of his funeral, Nolan Wells’ parents sent notice to his friends and their families of intention to sue them

Key Points:

• Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old from Ocean Springs, died after disappearing on July 4, 2026; his body was found on Horn Island two days later, prompting an independent investigation led by civil rights attorney Ben Crump amid suspicions of foul play.
• Wells’ family, through attorneys associated with Ben Crump and the Mississippi-based firm Carroll Bufkin, PLLC, has sent spoliation letters to several of Wells’ friends and their families, warning them of anticipated litigation and instructing preservation of all relevant evidence.
• The letters request preservation of various materials including text messages, social media content, photos, videos, and boat records, signaling a potential civil lawsuit related to Wells’ death.
• District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath stated that all evidence will be presented to a grand jury as standard procedure, emphasizing that no public evidence currently supports criminal conduct claims.
• Carroll Bufkin, PLLC, known for handling high-profile cases in Mississippi, is collaborating with Ben Crump, who is not licensed in Mississippi, to represent Wells’ family in this matter.