Sharpton Posts $50K Reward in Nolan Wells Death as Crump Set to Release Autopsy Findings

Rev. Al Sharpton is pledging $50,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in connection with the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells of Mississippi. Attorney Ben Crump plans to unveil preliminary findings from an independent autopsy at a news conference Wednesday during the 117th NAACP National Convention in Chicago, marking the first public disclosure of medical examination results in the case.

Crump will be joined at the announcement by Wells’ parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley, to present the family’s independent autopsy findings. The legal team’s decision to release these preliminary results comes as authorities have yet to announce an official cause or manner of death following the teenager’s discovery on July 6.

Wells vanished July 4 after boating with friends to Horn Island, a barrier island off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, to celebrate Independence Day. A National Park Service ranger located his body near the island’s northwestern tip two days later, after initial search efforts were suspended.

The NAACP recently adopted a resolution calling on local, state and federal authorities, including the U.S. Department of Justice, to launch a comprehensive and transparent investigation into Wells’ death. The announcement comes amid newly released video footage from July 4 that shows numerous boats and people at the gathering, though the footage’s authenticity and timing remain unverified.

Sharpton announced the reward during Wells’ funeral Monday, urging attendees to come forward with information. He emphasized that someone present at the July 4 gathering witnessed what occurred, noting that Wells’ cellphone and keys were recovered with his friends and questioning the delayed reporting of his disappearance.

Filmmaker Tyler Perry has pledged to help fund the reward beyond Sharpton’s contribution and is covering funeral expenses. The case has attracted support from prominent civil rights figures and public figures including former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and attorney Ben Crump, who has stated the local prosecutor agreed to present the completed investigation to a grand jury upon completion.