Nolan Wells friend says he seemed fine on Horn Island
Warren Hudson told Brandon Tatum that Nolan Wells was laughing and joking before the Mississippi teen later disappeared on July 4.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
Warren Hudson, who described himself as Nolan Wells' best friend, says nothing seemed off when he spent time with Wells on Horn Island in Mississippi on the Fourth of July.
Hudson gave his account during an interview with YouTuber Brandon Tatum on the Officer Tatum Show, saying Wells appeared to be enjoying himself during the holiday gathering.
According to Hudson, the group on the island included friends from high school and college. He said many of the people there were regular visitors to Horn Island.
Hudson said his conversations and interactions with Wells gave him no reason to think anything was wrong. He told Tatum that Wells seemed "completely fine" and said he was laughing, joking and having a good time.
Hudson also said he was not watching Wells every moment. He told Tatum there were hundreds of people at the gathering and that he was speaking with others throughout the day.
TMZ reported that video from the event lines up with Hudson's description, including footage that appears to show Wells on the back of a boat.
Disappearance after friends left island
Wells disappeared after his friends left Horn Island by boat, according to TMZ. His body was found two days later, on July 6, off the shoreline.
No witnesses have publicly reported seeing Wells after 4:30 p.m. on July 4, TMZ reported.
In the days since Wells' death, Hudson and other friends of the teen have faced heavy scrutiny online. TMZ reported that theories and accusations have spread across social media while the case remains under investigation.
Family attorney cites independent autopsy
Ben Crump, an attorney for Wells' family, has said Wells may have had an injury to the back of his head, citing preliminary findings from an independent autopsy commissioned by the family.
The preliminary report from that second autopsy lists the cause and manner of death as undetermined pending further investigation, according to TMZ.
Wells' parents laid him to rest Monday at Center Pointe Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The service was officiated by Rev. Al Sharpton.
At the service, Sharpton and Tyler Perry each offered $50,000 for information leading to a conviction in Wells' death, TMZ reported.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.