Family of Nolan Wells, who was found dead off Mississippi island, retains noted lawyer Ben Crump

The family of an 18-year-old who was found dead after a July 4 boat trip to an island off the Gulf Coast has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump amid an ongoing investigation into the circumstances of his disappearance.Nolan Xavier Wells’ body was discovered Monday off the coast of Horn Island, Mississippi, where he was last seen with a group of friends Saturday afternoon, officials said.In a statement released Tuesday, Crump said the family is searching for answers about the events leading up to his death.“We will not rest until every fact about what happened to Nolan on Horn Island is brought into the light, and we call on investigators to pursue this case with the urgency and transparency this family deserves,” said Crump, who also was recently retained by the family of a Mississippi 1-year-old who was killed when police fired into a moving car.

Wells traveled by boat with friends to the island Saturday but did not return with them that afternoon, according to Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter.Wells was reported missing that night by his mother. A rescue team found his body the following morning, the family said. An autopsy was set to be completed Tuesday.

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