Story perspectives

Sharpton, Crump Demand Probe into Nolan Wells Death, $220K Raised

7/12/2026

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Crump Demands Probe

Civil rights leaders Ben Crump and Rev. Al Sharpton demanded an independent, transparent probe, citing Mississippi’s history of racial injustice.
Nolan Wells died on Horn Island, Mississippi, prompting his family to arrange a Washington, D.C., autopsy and phone data review.
Ben Crump, retained by the family, leads the independent investigation, urging urgency and transparency.
A GoFundMe campaign raised over $220,000 to fund the family’s legal costs and forensic work.

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Wells Family Demands

The Wells family will hold a press conference with attorney Ben Crump and activist Al Sharpton demanding a transparent investigation.
Nolan Wells’ body, which officials say drowned, was flown to Washington, D.C., for an autopsy, with results expected in weeks.
Sheriff John Ledbetter urged witnesses of an island argument to speak up, citing a video.
United Cajun Navy, police and U.S. Coast Guard recovered Wells’ body on July 6, two days.

History

Historical Context

On June 21, 1964, civil-rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner were abducted and killed in Neshoba County, Mississippi, prompting Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy to send 150 FBI agents and launch a federal civil-rights investigation. The case helped spur the 1965 Voting Rights Act and created a precedent for today’s demand for an independent probe.

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Crump Demands Probe

Civil rights leaders Ben Crump and Rev. Al Sharpton demanded an independent, transparent probe, citing Mississippi’s history of racial injustice.
Nolan Wells died on Horn Island, Mississippi, prompting his family to arrange a Washington, D.C., autopsy and phone data review.
Ben Crump, retained by the family, leads the independent investigation, urging urgency and transparency.
A GoFundMe campaign raised over $220,000 to fund the family’s legal costs and forensic work.

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