FBI may investigate Nolan Wells' death, Trump says
Ben Crump shares findings from Nolan Wells' cell phone
Nolan Wells' family attorney Ben Crump held a press conference in Orlando Thursday to reveal findings from a forensic examination of Nolan Wells' cell phone.
The FBI may conduct its own investigation into the death of Nolan Wells, the 18-year-old who was found dead off the coast of Mississippi after a July 4th boat outing with friends.
President Donald Trump made the comments Wednesday, days after Wells’ family called for a federal investigation into his death.
What did Trump say about Nolan Wells?
What they're saying:
Reporters at the White House asked Trump whether he plans to ask the FBI to investigate Wells’ death.
Nolan Xavier Wells died after Fourth of July boating outing with friends, according to authorities. (Credit: Jackson County Sheriff's Department via Facebook)
"Well, we’re looking at that," Trump said Wednesday. "Yes, we are."
RELATED: Nolan Wells’ friends sue NFL legend Terrell Owens for defamation
What happened to Nolan Wells?
The backstory:
Wells, who played wide receiver on the Southwest Mississippi Community College football team, traveled by boat to Horn Island, Mississippi, on July 4 with a group of friends, but didn’t make the return trip with them that afternoon.
RELATED: Nolan Wells' family calls for further investigation: 'It's not adding up'
According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Wells’ mother had called to report him missing around midnight into the morning of July 5. A search ensued, and his body was found on the beach on the northwest tip of Horn Island early Monday morning, more than a day later.
Nolan Wells investigation: State's autopsy completed
The state autopsy of Nolan Wells, the Mississippi teen found dead after a boating trip with friends has been completed. LiveNOW's Christina Evans breaks down the latest details of the investigation with civil rights attorney Adante Pointer.
Investigators repeatedly said they didn’t suspect foul play in Wells’ death, but his case fueled rampant speculation and suspicion online. His friends said they left Wells behind on the island because he wanted to stay and talk to a girl. Ben Crump, an attorney representing the Wells family, has said it appears Wells was the only Black person on the island that day.
The Mississippi State Medical Examiner and an independent autopsy commissioned by Wells’ family both found the cause of death to be "undetermined."
The autopsy report showed no evidence of fractures or deep tissue injuries. It described a "red discoloration" in the back of Wells’ skull as "inconclusive" and meriting further investigation.
Without further information, the forensic pathologist, Dr. Roger Mitchell, wrote that he could not rule out the possibility that "non-accidental factors contributed to or caused the death."
RELATED: Grand jury declines criminal charges in Nolan Wells death
Grand jury finds no cause for charges for Nolan Wells' death
Ben Crump, the attorney representing the family of Nolan Wells, led a press conference Tuesday after a Mississippi grand jury determined that there wasn't sufficient evidence to warrant charges for the 18-year-old black man's death. Wells' body was found after a July 4 boating trip and party on an island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Grand jury declines charges
Dig deeper:
A grand jury later determined there was no evidence to bring charges against anyone in connection with Wells’ death, finding that it was "consistent with drowning."
Wells’ family and their lawyers disputed the grand jury, pointing to the unexplained bruising on the back of his head and noting that his airways and stomach were devoid of water.
The Source: This article includes information from Reuters, The Associated Press and previous FOX Local reporting.