President Trump indicated on Wednesday that the federal government may intervene in the case of Nolan Wells, the young man whose body was discovered off the Mississippi Gulf Coast earlier this year, telling reporters that an FBI investigation is under consideration.
Speaking to the press outside the White House, Trump was asked whether he intends to direct the FBI to open an independent investigation into Wells' death. "We're looking at that. Yes, we are," the president replied, according to TMZ.com.
The case dates back to July 4, when Wells went missing during a boat outing with three friends. Two days later, his body washed ashore on the shoreline of Horn Island, which sits off the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Mississippi authorities conducted an investigation and concluded that Wells drowned, finding no indication of foul play. The state medical examiner's final autopsy report classified the manner of death as "undetermined," while noting that Wells had sustained head injuries, specifically "two dark red-purple subcutaneous scalp contusions."
State prosecutors subsequently presented all evidence to a grand jury, which returned a "no true bill" — a decision meaning no criminal charges would be filed in connection with the case.
From the outset, Wells' family and their attorney, Ben Crump, have pressed authorities to determine exactly what happened to him. The family's push for federal involvement gained new momentum on Monday, when Wells' father, Elmore Wonsley, publicly called for the FBI to take action.
"Our son was found on federal land and we are asking the FBI to step in and do a full investigation," Wonsley said, according to TMZ.com.
Following the president's remarks on Wednesday, Crump responded that his team is prepared to cooperate with federal officials. "Our team stands ready to work with the federal government to ensure Nolan's death is investigated to the fullest extent," Crump said, according to TMZ.com.
The president's comments represent a potential turning point for a family that has spent months seeking answers through state channels. While Mississippi investigators have stood by their conclusion that Wells drowned without foul play, the autopsy's "undetermined" classification and the documented head injuries have fueled calls for a deeper inquiry.
Whether the FBI ultimately opens a formal investigation remains uncertain. Trump's statement on Wednesday stopped short of a commitment, but it marked the first public signal that federal authorities could become involved in a case that has drawn sustained attention along the Gulf Coast and beyond.