Judge Addresses Rumors Amid Investigation into Nolan Wells’ Death
In an effort to address swirling rumors, a Mississippi judge has spoken out about the mysterious death of 18-year-old Ocean Springs student-athlete Nolan Xavier Wells. Ashlee Cole, whose son was among the friends accompanying Wells on a July 4th trip to Horn Island, has taken to social media to clarify her family’s involvement and dispel any misconceptions.
Cole, a Chancery Judge in Mississippi’s District 16-2, expressed her condolences in a Facebook post, writing that her son Warren “loved Nolan dearly,” and emphasized the family’s shared grief with the community over Wells’ tragic passing.
In her social media statement, Cole explained her decision to deactivate Facebook, citing concerns for her children’s privacy amid heightened emotions online.
“Yes, I deactivated my Facebook,” she stated. “Given the very heightened emotional state of social media right now, I fear for the safety of my child and my children. My husband and I have six children and we covet their privacy. We do not believe it is appropriate for our minor children’s photographs to be circulated throughout the Internet, presenting potential threats to their safety.”
Cole, who shares a history with Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, from their high school days, reaffirmed her respect and condolences for the Wells family. “I graduated high school with Christine Wells-Wonsley. We are from the same community. I have the utmost respect for her and all of the Wells family. We mourn the loss of Nolan with them. Our prayers have been and will continue to be with them,” she wrote.
Addressing rumors of interference in the investigation, Cole clarified that neither she nor her husband were present on Horn Island on July 4th. She assured the public of her commitment to transparency and cooperation with law enforcement.
“No one in our family is trying in any way to impede with the investigation by law enforcement or to otherwise hamper the family and law enforcement’s quest for answers,” Cole maintained. “Warren was interviewed by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and cooperated fully. He saw Nolan last at around 3 pm on July 4th. They left around 4:30 pm when the boat was taking on water and they had an issue with the bilge pump. Nolan made a decision to stay on the island and return inland later with another group of friends. Yes, I am a judge. I also value transparency. I apologize if anyone was offended that I deleted my social media. There were no nefarious motivations in my deleting my social media. Social media has a lot of positives, but a whole lot of negatives.”
The tragic circumstances surrounding Wells’ death have raised numerous questions. Concerns have been voiced regarding the fact that Wells was the only Black individual among his group of white friends, leading to increased scrutiny of the incident.
The case has garnered attention from activists and public figures, including civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has called for “urgency and transparency” in the investigation. The public continues to seek answers about what truly happened to Nolan Wells.
SEE ALSO:
Nolan Wells: Family Confirms Identity Of Body Found As Nolan
What Happened To Nolan Wells?: 5 Questions We Still Need Answered About His Death
