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Nolan Wells demanded phone back in argument: Attorney
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(NewsNation) — Nolan Wells was in an argument and demanded his phone back from someone, according to attorneys hired by the deceased teen's family. "He was one Black with three young white men who happened to end up with his phone, happened to end up with his keys," Rev. Al Sharpton said in a press conference Friday. "There's just too many questions that they should not be closing the investigation." Attorneys representing the family say there is video of an argument where Wells is heard demanding his phone back. They also said that when the family got the phone returned, some texts and Snapchat messages appeared to have been deleted. Lynette Hooker may have returned to sailboat before her disappearance Wells, an 18-year-old community college football player, was last seen on Mississippi's Horn Island on July 4. His friends returned home without him, telling authorities that they last saw Wells on the beach around 3 p.m. and he told them he would get a ride home with someone else. Wells was reported missing that night when he failed to return home, prompting a search. His body was found on the beach on the northwest side of the island two days later. The official cause of death has not been determined, but investigators say they believe he may have accidentally drowned. The Wells family has hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has said the plan is to conduct an independent review of the investigation and a private autopsy. "This is a kid who knew how to swim," Crump said. "This is a kid who was in tip-top shape. He was a superior athlete." Missing Tennessee woman found dead days after daughter dropped at fire station Sharpton noted that Wells' friends did not voluntarily tell authorities that they had his keys and phone when they left him on the island. Operated by the National Parks Service, Horn Island has no staff, facilities or communications and is accessible largely by private boat. "If there are any people on that island, any young people who recorded videos, who witnessed things, who may have seen Nolan at any time on our island, please, please, please let us know," Crump said. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
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