'No. Not With Nolan.': His Parents Plead For The Investigation To Reopen — And We Don't Look Away

Nolan Wells was 18 years old. He was found dead on July 6, near Horn Island, Mississippi, after a July 4 boating trip with friends. Five months later, his parents are BEGGING for the investigation to be reopened — and Morgan says America doesn't get to look away this time.

THE NEWS. On October 5, Nolan's parents — Christine and Elmore Wonsley — stood with attorney Ben Crump, members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Rep. Maxine Waters and formally called for the DOJ, the FBI and the National Park Service to open an independent federal investigation into his death, per ABC News, WLBT and the Clarion Ledger.

THE UNANSWERED. Here's what doesn't sit right, per the reporting: BOTH autopsies — the state's AND the family's independent one — listed the cause AND manner of death as UNDETERMINED. The independent autopsy found unexplained blunt-force injuries to the back of his head and back, per WAPT and WKYT. The family also points to inconsistent witness accounts and alleged missing Snapchat messages. And on September 21, a Jackson County grand jury found "no credible evidence of criminal conduct," called the scene "consistent with drowning," and handed down no indictments — "no true bill" — closing the case at the state level, per Mississippi Today and CBS News.

THE OTHER SIDE. The FBI says it assisted in the initial investigation and sees no evidence of foul play or criminal activity, per the reports. That's the finding the family is fighting — and under the law, nobody has been charged with anything, so all of this stays allegations and open questions.

THE PATH FORWARD. Horn Island is federally managed — National Park Service land — which is the family's whole argument for federal jurisdiction. And Mississippi has NO statute of limitations for murder: if new credible evidence ever surfaces, the case can be reopened, per Mississippi Today and the Sun Herald. The door isn't locked. His parents just need somebody with the authority to walk through it.

MORGAN'S TAKE: "In America, the news cycle is 5-7 days and we tend to forget. No — hell no. Not with Nolan. His story needs to be heard and justice needs to be had. If he were white, we wouldn't even have to have his parents beg and plead for closure."

THE FINE PRINT. No one has been charged. The grand jury found no credible evidence of criminal conduct. The blunt-force findings come from the family's independent autopsy; the state autopsy says undetermined; the FBI maintains it found no evidence of foul play. Everything above is attributed to the named outlets and public findings — and we'll keep covering this one until there's an answer, not a headline cycle.

Glowgetters, the group chat is OPEN at the bottom of this page: keep his name in it. If you know ANYTHING about July 4 on Horn Island, the family's line is open. Don't let the cycle close this one — come say his name.