Key facts
- Attorneys for Nolan Wells' family will work with the district attorney's office to inspect his recovered cellphone.
- The family previously raised concerns about erased messages on the phone.
- District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath committed to presenting the investigation to a grand jury.
- Wells was reported missing on July 4 and his body was recovered on July 6.
- The family has questioned the circumstances surrounding Wells' death, citing racial tensions and conflicting accounts.
Attorneys for the family of Nolan Wells have agreed to a joint inspection of the teen's recovered cellphone with the local district attorney's office, which is investigating his death. Wells was reported missing during a July 4 boat trip and his body was found days later. The family had previously expressed concerns that messages may have been erased from the phone before they recovered it.
District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath met with the family's attorneys and committed to presenting the investigation to a grand jury upon its completion. Attorney Ben Crump stated the hope is for a fair and impartial investigation, referencing the lived experiences of Black people in America. A law professor explained that grand juries typically consist of 15 to 25 citizens who decide if there is sufficient evidence for an indictment.
Wells had traveled to an island off the Mississippi coast with friends on July 4 but did not return with them. Conflicting accounts exist regarding his plans to stay on the island or return with his friends. His mother reported him missing shortly after midnight on July 5, and his body was recovered on July 6. Authorities have stated they do not suspect foul play, but autopsy results are pending and the investigation remains open.
The family's attorneys are working to determine if data can be recovered from the phone, cooperating with investigators. A law professor noted that mutual inspection of evidence between police and a victim's family is not typical, but cooperation could expedite the investigation. The case has garnered significant attention, with the Congressional Black Caucus calling for an independent investigation. Actor Tyler Perry is helping fund the funeral, and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick is assisting with costs for an independent autopsy.