(AURN News) — The investigation into the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells will be presented to a grand jury once local authorities complete their investigation.
Attorney Ben Crump announced the development Wednesday after the family’s first meeting with the Jackson County district attorney.
Wells, the only Black teen in a group of white friends, traveled by boat to Horn Island, Mississippi, on July 4. He did not return with the group that afternoon. His body was found two days later.
Local authorities say they do not suspect foul play. Witnesses told investigators Wells chose to stay behind, but the family and its attorney say that account does not add up, citing questions about how his phone and keys ended up back on land without him.
As part of Wednesday’s meeting, prosecutors and the family’s legal team agreed to jointly review Wells’ cellphone data. The family says communication from the sheriff’s department has been limited and that it still has not received the incident report.
The family announced Wells’ funeral will be held Monday, July 20, at Center Pointe Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. An independent autopsy funded in part by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick is pending, with results expected after the service.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
