Family of Mississippi teen who died after July 4 trip to call for transparency, deeper investigation - MyNorthwest.com

The family of Nolan Xavier Wells, a Mississippi teenager who was found dead after a July 4 boat trip to Horn Island, is expected to press for transparency at a news conference Friday with Rev. Al Sharpton and civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Crump was retained by the family earlier this week, and he said they have concerns about the investigation and plan an independent autopsy. Wells traveled by boat to Horn Island, Mississippi, on July 4 with friends but did not return with them that afternoon; his body was found early Monday morning, more than a day later. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office officials said they do not suspect foul play, while Sheriff John Ledbetter asked for witnesses and any video from the island, about 10 miles off the coast, to clarify what happened before Wells’ disappearance and death. Family members cited allegedly seen footage of a fight and said Wells, an elite athlete, could swim. An official autopsy was conducted Tuesday, with results possibly taking weeks.