Crump announced that his legal team has obtained the full audio from the Sea Tow call placed by one of the teens aboard the boat and has hired forensic audio engineers to analyze the recording.
“We’re working with expert audio engineers to review the entire call,” Crump said.
The legal team has also retained oceanic engineering experts to examine how Wells’ body was ultimately recovered near the northwestern tip of Horn Island after disappearing two days earlier. “We want to know how is that possible with the oceanic tides,” Crump said. “You’ve got low tides and high tides… so it’s not adding up.”
Crump additionally said board-certified forensic pathologist Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr., who performed the family’s independent autopsy, is seeking additional evidence, including Wells’ throat and photographs taken closer to the time his body was recovered, to continue his examination.
Earlier this month, Mitchell concluded that Wells’ cause and manner of death were undetermined pending further investigation, adding that the available evidence was insufficient to rule out foul play.
Attorney Eric Hertz said the family’s legal team is continuing discussions with Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath about conducting a joint forensic review of phones connected to the case. Hertz said investigators representing both the county and the Wells family would participate, and the FBI is expected to be present if an agreement is finalized.
“And that is going to show a lot of stuff we have not seen,” Hertz said.
The family’s attorneys also said a hotline established for the investigation continues to receive more than 100 tips each day. “If there is a time in your life to do the right thing, this is it,” senior attorney Liza Park said, encouraging anyone with information to come forward.
Wells’ parents made emotional appeals of their own. “We are begging… if anyone knows anything — his friends, strangers — please call the hotline,” Christine Wonsley said. “We will not be able to rest until we get answers.”
Her husband, Elmore Wonsley, addressed those who were with Nolan the day he disappeared. “If Nolan was really your best friend — for the people who say they were friends — please come forward and tell us what you know,” he said. “All we want to know is the truth. We’re not blaming anyone, we just want the truth.”
Crump also condemned the harassment the family has faced while seeking answers, including negative online reviews targeting Christine Wonsley at her workplace.
“Christine has been a nurse for years, and she hasn’t ever gotten negative reviews, but since she’s been advocating for her son… sick people have been going on her company’s website giving her negative reviews,” Crump said. “They are just sick, evil people who would attack this mother and father for simply saying, ‘We want to know what happened to our child.'”
