ABC News report: Nolan Wells went missing after drinking heavily with friends on July 4
OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. —
Investigators determined Nolan Wells went missing after he spent July 4 drinking heavily with friends on Horn Island, according to a document obtained by ABC News pursuant to a public records request.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, one of the first agencies to respond, compiled a brief list of information about Wells to assist the search, describing him as a Black male, 6’1″ and 180 lbs.
New audio, documents released in Nolan Wells investigationWatch on
The document said it was “unknown” what Wells had eaten that day but described his alcohol intake as “heavy.” The report said that “several friends traveled to the island on the vessel with Nolan,” and “when they left, (Nolan) was in the company of an unknown female and that he chose to remain at the island.”
Wells’ friends told authorities that they returned to shore because their boat was taking on water.
Wells was found dead near Horn Island days after Independence Day. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said after Wells’ body was found that it appeared that he had drowned.
Results from an independent autopsy were ruled inconclusive, with the cause of death undetermined.
The results of the first autopsy and the toxicology report have not been released.