Nolan Wells’ family is seeking answers after his disappearance and death. The 18-year-old’s body was found off the coast of Horn Island, where he was last seen. An attorney for the family said they have hired audio engineers to review a distress call made from a boat on the day of his disappearance.

Investigation Ongoing

The recording, released by Mississippi authorities, captures a July 4 call to a private marine towing company requesting assistance for a boat that was taking in water off Horn Island. The caller asks for help, noting that there were about seven people on board. The dispatcher then speaks with a captain for the towing company, who said a relative of the boat owner reported those onboard had solved the issue and didn’t need any help right now.

Law enforcement officials have said they were told by witnesses that Wells was not on the boat when it left the island. The family’s attorney, Ben Crump, said they want the truth and are calling on prosecutors to include outside authorities in the review of phones belonging to friends who traveled with Wells to the island.

Online Speculation and Suspicion

The teenager’s death has touched off rampant speculation, deepened in part by uncertainty about his final hours, distrust of law enforcement, and Mississippi’s long history of racist violence. Social media users have seized on videos and photos shared online, making unsubstantiated claims against Wells’ friends, whose attorneys and family members have reported death threats and doxing campaigns.

Crump defended the attention on the case, saying they’re not trying to cast aspersions on anybody, but want the truth. He noted that Wells’ parents also have faced online attacks.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.