Overview
- Wells vanished during a Fourth of July boat trip to Horn Island and was last seen on the island in the afternoon of July 4.
- A park ranger found a body in the water near the northwest tip of Horn Island early Monday morning, July 6, and Jackson County authorities confirmed the remains matched Wells by dental records the following day.
- Officials say drowning is suspected and that there is no evidence of foul play so far, but the coroner completed an autopsy and toxicology results remain pending.
- Investigators have asked the public for original, unedited photos and videos from the northwest tip of Horn Island and are reviewing viral footage and witness accounts after Wells' friends returned to the mainland without him saying he expected another ride back.
- Wells' family has hired attorney Ben Crump, who is calling for a transparent, independent probe and is urging anyone with information to come forward.