Friends Describe Nolan Wells’ Final Hours on Horn Island as Family Demands Answers

Friends who were with 18-year-old Nolan Wells at a July 4 gathering on Horn Island have given a more detailed account of when they say they last saw him and what he told them before he was reported missing and later found dead on July 6. Their recollections, shared on The Officer Tatum Show, and the family's ongoing independent probe add new context to a case that remains under official investigation.

What Friends Say Happened

On the show, Jax Pitalo, Morgan Seymour and Warren Hudson — who were together the day Wells disappeared — said Wells met a young woman at the gathering and chose to remain on Horn Island with her while others left when their boat began taking on water. The group says Wells left his phone on the boat to keep it dry and told friends he would get another ride back later.

"Wyatt looked at Nolan, he was like, 'Dude, come on. Boat's taking on water. We got to go like right now,'" Pitalo recalled. "Nolan didn't want to go. He said he wanted to stay with the girl."

The friends said they departed so they could get their vessel running again. They described a chaotic emergency towing call that authorities later released; some online listeners have speculated they hear Wells' name in the audio, but the friends maintain Wells was not aboard their disabled boat when it left the island.

Search, Discovery And Investigations

Wells' body was recovered on Horn Island on July 6. Authorities initially reported no obvious signs of foul play and suggested he may have drowned in an area known for rip currents. The state's autopsy report has not been released; an independent autopsy commissioned by the family said the condition of the body limited conclusions and did not determine a definitive cause of death or rule out foul play, though no severe injuries were reported.

Nolan Wells

The family — Christine and Elmore Wonsley — has publicly pressed for transparency, disputed some details from attendees, and signaled potential legal action as they continue their own investigation. Both family members and some friends say they have faced harassment and threats amid widespread online speculation.

Rising Tensions Among Those Involved

The friends described escalating tension in the hours after Wells went missing. They said relatives and other partygoers visited the boat, questioned attendees, and went to friends' homes looking for answers. Pitalo said he spent several hours alone to process events, only to later find people in his home demanding information. One friend said someone documented license plates and that a crowd gathered at Pitalo's house early on July 5, prompting his brother to contact police.

By morning, many of Wells' friends and family were searching the waters and coordinating with law enforcement. Weeks after the recovery, officials and the family continue to seek more information about Wells' final hours.

What Remains Unresolved

• The official state autopsy remains pending public release.
• Independent examiners could not determine a definitive cause of death because of limitations with the body.
• Key details about Wells' final movements on Horn Island and who he was with remain contested.

Note: This account summarizes statements from friends and family and public reports. Investigations by law enforcement and the family are ongoing.