Nolan Wells’ Parents Tell Black Journalists They Are Still Fighting to Learn the Truth About Their Son’s Death

Nolan Wells’ parents are still struggling to make sense of the explanations surrounding the events leading up to their son’s death. They say conflicting statements and actions by some of the friends who were with Wells have left them questioning whether someone is hiding what really happened. Today, during a panel discussion at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference in Atlanta, they said they are prepared to question everyone involved because, as they put it, they simply want the truth.

Christine Wonsley, Wells’ mother, said one of the most difficult parts has been that her son considered the young men he was with his friends, even though she and his father did not know many of them well.

“There was only a handful of young men that we actually knew– he grew up with,” she said. “When I say grew up, I’m saying from first grade; they’ve known each other all through high school.” According to Wonsley, those weren’t the friends who traveled with Wells to Horn Island.

That distinction has become central to the parents’ questions about his final hours. Now, as the investigation continues, Wells’ parents are trying to learn more about who exactly their son called friends.

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Elmore Wonsley said one of the first things that troubled him was the struggle to retrieve his son’s car keys from a friend’s house after learning Wells had not returned from the island.

He said a woman who had apparently been with the group earlier that day told the friend the keys were on top of an Xbox in his room. Only then were the keys brought outside.

“Now, to me, you lied to me three times. I don’t believe nothing that you tell me on that,” Elmore said. He also questioned the explanation that Wells had stayed behind on the island with a girl he had just met.

“My son would never do that. That’s not in his character,” he said. “I didn’t raise none of my kids to do it.”

Wells, an 18-year-old from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, was found dead two days after traveling to Horn Island with friends for the Fourth of July, we reported. Authorities initially indicated they did not suspect foul play. An independent autopsy was inconclusive about the cause of death.

Mississippi’s history of racial segregation and violence against Black residents provides broader context for the family’s call for transparency. The Wonsleys, however, say their questions are focused on what happened to their son.

Attorney Ben Crump, who has organized an independent investigation, told the panel that the family deserves a full account.

“You want to believe that this is a child, that everybody’s gonna do their level best to find out what happened,” Crump said. “We want you to do for him what you would do for your child.”

At the same time, the Wonsleys have become subjects of targeted attacks, death threats and even unfounded professional complaints, we previously reported. Wonsley said she will continue asking questions.

“These attacks are not going to break me,” she said. “I have to find out. We have to find out what happened to Nolan. That is the only question we’ve ever asked.”

Rev. Al Sharpton, who became involved after being told law enforcement had determined there was no foul play two days after Wells disappeared, called that a “pre-judgment.” Now, the families of Wells’ friends have threatened legal action against Sharpton. To that, the civil rights icon said he’s ready.

“You can’t say I defame your son. I don’t know your son’s name,” Sharpton said. “I want them to sue me first.” He added, “’Cause I want to depose your son.”

The investigation continues as the family awaits toxicology results, an official autopsy and presentation of the case to a Mississippi grand jury.