0:12: Listeners and online sleuths allege that a muffled voice in the background can be heard asking, “Is he dead?”.
0:20: The caller informs the dispatcher, “Hey, we’re at the uh, west tip of Horn, and uh, our bilge pump stopped working”.
0:20: The caller continues, “We’re going, we’re sinking” and asks, “Can y’all please come? We have a membership”.
0:45: Describing the situation, the caller states, “Uh, it’s coming up” and “we’re just sinking”.
1:22: When the dispatcher asks if everyone on board is in good health otherwise, the caller responds, “Yeah, yeah everybody’s...”.
1:28: The caller abruptly states, “What? What? No, we do not need that,” after being asked if they need the United States Coast Guard.
3:19: The caller states their priority is to get the boat “unsank and towed back yes”.
3:54: Frantic instructions are given in the background, with someone saying, “Had to jump in and pull the plug... pull the plug Bart while you’re going”.
4:10: When pressed for passenger details, the caller states, “There is zero adults on board”.
4:14: The caller further clarifies, “No” and states, “Nobody here is over the age of 21”.
Unmarked Audio Anomalies: Internet sleuths claim to hear the name “Nolan,” followed by “Oh my God,” and background voices urging someone to “Check his chest” and “wake up.” Another distinct voice on the boat can be heard yelling, “shut the f*** up” amidst the panic.
Investigative Cross-Reference & Official Timelines
The Sea Tow Dispatch: The July 4 dispatch call was made around 4:00 p.m. CDT to Sea Tow, a private towing company, rather than traditional emergency 911 services. During the call, the teenager reported their boat was taking on water near the west tip of Horn Island, but claimed everyone aboard was “in good health otherwise”.
Contradictory Timelines: The individuals present maintain that the chaotic background noise and yelling are strictly the result of a panic response to their boat sinking. However, witness accounts place Wells on the island after his friends departed, and Wells’ friends told authorities that the teen decided to stay on the island. Furthermore, there were an estimated 300 to 400 people on Horn Island that day, complicating the narrative of his disappearance.
Investigation Status: Nolan Wells went missing on July 4 and was discovered dead on Monday, July 6. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation and previously stated they do not suspect foul play.
Autopsy Findings: An independent autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Dr. Roger Mitchell on July 10 listed the cause and manner of death as “undetermined” pending further investigation. The examination found no evidence of fractures, but noted an unexplained “red discoloration” in the deep soft tissues on the back of his head. Dr. Mitchell also noted that a portion of Wells’ interior neck structures had been removed during the first state autopsy and not provided for the independent review.
Misinformation Campaign: Online speculation has been rampant, and viral videos allegedly showing Wells being attacked by a group of white teens before his disappearance have been definitively debunked. No verified footage exists of Wells in a physical altercation before he vanished, with his last confirmed video showing only a verbal argument on a yacht.
Community Response: A reward of $125,000 has been offered for information leading to a conviction, funded by Rev. Al Sharpton, Tyler Perry, and Terrell Owens.
Reference Links:
TMZ: Caller Audio Only - Nolan Wells’ Friend Emergency Audio
The TMZ Podcast: Nolan Wells Case - New Developments Raise More Questions
WLOX: MDMR releases call audio from boat in Nolan Wells case
PBS News: What to know about the Nolan Wells independent autopsy results
Washington Post: Independent autopsy for Mississippi 18-year-old is inconclusive
