Key Figures

Family

Christine Wells-Wonsley

Mother of Nolan Wells

Elmore Wonsley

Father of Nolan Wells

Boating Companions

Warren Hudson

Accompanied Nolan to Horn Island on July 4, and appeared with him in the group photo, and spoke publicly regarding the timeline of events.

Jax Pitalo

Accompanied Nolan to Horn Island on July 4, and appeared with him in the group photo.

Morgan Seymour

Accompanied Nolan to Horn Island on July 4 and appeared with him in the group photo.

Bart Edmiston Jr. 

Owned (Bart’s family)and operated the boat that carried Nolan and his friends to Horn Island on July 4.

Legal Representatives

Ben Crump– Lead Civil Rights Attorney 

Retained by Nolan’s family to oversee an independent review, handle press updates, and press for transparency from investigating agencies

Liza Park– Senior Attorney (Ben Crump Law) 

Working alongside Ben Crump on the legal team representing the Wells family

Eric Hertz — Co-Counsel (Civil Rights & Wrongful Death Attorney)

Trial attorney working alongside Ben Crump’s legal team to represent Nolan Wells’ family, handle evidence review, and interface with investigators and prosecutors.

Gary Bufkin — Co-Counsel (Mississippi Attorney)

Mississippi-based trial attorney working alongside Ben Crump’s legal team to represent Nolan Wells’ family and file subpoenas for social media and location data.

Angel Myers McIlrath — Jackson County District Attorney

District Attorney for the 19th Judicial District, responsible for reviewing law enforcement evidence, meeting with the family’s legal team, and presenting the case to a grand jury.

J. Tyler Cox  — Defense Attorney 

Representing three of the young men who accompanied Nolan to Horn Island.

Edward Andrew Paltzik — Defense Attorney

Co-counsel alongside J. Tyler Cox, representing three of the young men who accompanied Nolan to Horn Island.

Investigating Agencies

United States Coast Guard (USCG)– Initial Search & Rescue Lead Agency

Conducted initial maritime and air search operations following the missing person report, later turning the active death investigation over to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Department (JCSO or JCSD) – Lead Primary Investigative Agency 

Led by Sheriff John Ledbetter; handling the primary missing persons, death, and criminal investigation.

Jackson County District Attorney’s Office (JCDAO) – Prosecutorial Body 

Led by District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath; responsible for reviewing evidence and presenting findings to a grand jury.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Assisting Federal Agency 

Assisting local authorities with the primary investigation and leading federal charges regarding interstate threats to witnesses, officials, and judges.

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) – Assisting Marine Agency 

Involved in initial maritime operations, search efforts, and radio/dispatch call logs.

Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office (MSMEO)– State Pathology Division 

Conducted the official state autopsy and toxicology analysis.

Jackson County Coroner’s Office (JCCO) – County Medical Division 

Led by Coroner Bruce Lynd Jr., responsible for initial on-scene examination and processing of evidence.

Witnesses & Community

Tracestin Shepherd: friend of Nolan Wells

He was on Horn Island that day, though traveling separately from Nolan’s boat; he later clarified on Good Morning America that he was the person yelling in a widely circulated viral video, stating it was not a confrontation involving Nolan.

Tashema Hands – friend of Christine Wonsley

Mother of one of Nolan Wells’ friends who used Snapchat tracking to locate his phone at a house where a group had gathered, retrieved the phone, and returned it to his family.

Jayvon Williams – friend of Nolan Wells

Spoke publicly regarding his interactions with Nolan on Horn Island on July 4, providing key context on Nolan’s demeanor and normal habits.

Katie McCormack –witness

Met Nolan on Horn Island on July 4 and spoke with him during the event; later provided statements to investigators and the Wells family regarding their interactions.

Judge Ashlee Cole  – Jackson County Chancery Judge and stepmother of Warren Hudson

Released a Facebook statement on July 7 addressing community rumors, confirming her family’s cooperation with law enforcement, and stating Nolan chose to remain on Horn Island to ride back with another group.

Media

The Officer Tatum Show 

Broadcasted long-form interviews with Warren Hudson and released video footage of the vessel in transit.

Don Lemon Media 

Published enhanced audio analysis of the Sea Tow dispatch recordings.

WLOX — Local News Station (ABC/CBS)

South Mississippi news outlet covering local developments, press conferences, and updates in the investigation.

Evidential Citings

Sea Tow — Marine Assistance & Towing Service

Private marine assistance company that received the July 4 distress call from the vessel near Horn Island.

Janetta Brantley – Independent audio specialist

Enhanced audio recordings and shared the analysis on social media.

Advocates

Terrell Owens — NFL Hall of Famer

Contributed $25,000 toward the reward fund for information in the investigation.

Rev. Al Sharpton — Civil Rights Advocate

Co-announced initial reward funding to assist the family and encourage witness cooperation.

Tyler Perry — Filmmaker & Philanthropist

Pledged financial support toward the total reward fund for information in the case.