DeKalb County

Nolan Wells’ family says they’re being attacked for seeking answers after grand jury decision

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The family of Nolan Wells says they’re being attacked for asking questions. This comes after a grand jury decided not to pursue criminal charges in the death investigation of Wells.

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Christine Wells Wonsley says, like everyone else, she got word that a Mississippi grand jury would not pursue criminal charges in the death of her son Nolan Wells on Facebook.

“To me, that action showed a lack of empathy and a need to get this case done and over with,” said Wells-Wonsley.

Eighteen-year-old Nolan Wells went boating with friends off Horn Island off the Mississippi coast on July 4 and never returned. His body was found two days later.

The partially redacted grand jury report said the evidence is “consistent with drowning.” It said there was no credible evidence of criminal activity.

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Wells’ family raised questions about the actions of his friends and whether race played a role. The District Attorney addressed those claims in a video posted online.

“There is absolutely no evidence to support the allegations that Nolan’s disappearance and death were racially motivated,” said Jackson County, Mississippi District Attorney Angel Myer McIlrath.

“I don’t know if race was a factor in Nolan’s; I do know we can’t expect we will never know as his epithet,” said Wells family attorney Benjamin Crump.

“Elmore and I do not believe that Nolan simply and accidentally drowned and nobody saw anything and no one knows anything,” said Wells-Wonsley.

The family is pushing for the investigation to remain open and active.

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