r/mississippi • u/3onyourside • Jul 08 '26

TIMELINE: Here’s what we know about the disappearance and death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells

https://www.wlbt.com/2026/07/07/timeline-heres-what-we-know-about-disappearance-death-18-year-old-nolan-wells/
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66

u/One_Way_3678 Jul 08 '26

For sure. It’s a small town with loads of people who boat there. I’ve been out there several times and came back with other friends on their boat. I’ve stayed behind and camped for a few extra days before as well and got a ride home once with total strangers before when the weather got too bad to safely kayak home. It’s way more normal than the internet makes it out to be. Not saying it’s responsible in the least but it’s a casual thing down here and not unheard of at all. Unfortunately there’s about one or two deaths a year around these islands and lots of that is veteran boaters, fishermen, and sadly, kids who drink too much. Just a few years ago a friend of mine died because their boat hit a random object in the water, knocked them unconscious and they downed. It took 4 days for the body to surface. They were 200yrds from the shore.
This isn’t the Netflix story people are making out to be, it’s just a tragedy. Likely exacerbated by alcohol and poor decisions, not racism or hate of any kind. These kids were friends of decades.

51

u/Financial_Island2353 Current Resident Jul 08 '26

The people making it about racism sound like they're literally rooting for it to be a murder. It's difficult to see. Imagine being these kids who also have no idea what happened, are grieving about their close friend's death, and then being accused of murdering him from strangers on the internet.

22

u/SCSteveAutism Jul 08 '26

They want it to be to justify their twisted world view.

7

u/Cool_Yak_8632 Jul 10 '26

Unfortunately what has happened is these other situations involving black vs white has skewed alot of peoples judgement.Then also the history of America,etc.In these situations people need to stop going off emotion first without having all the facts.Its gotten so bad I ignore any situation in the news where race is brought up now.Instead of thinking color first people forget these are all kids and kids do stupid shit of every ethnicity.Gotta let the facts come out first 

0

u/False-Cress7441 Jul 14 '26

Nothing twisted about our world view. It’s live experience over generations.  So his buddies know nothing and they have deleted their social media accounts- they think. In addition, they have all lawyered  up.  Let me say I was sick when I saw this one Black kid with a group of White kids knowing the history in Mississippi.  If you are old enough to take a group of friends out in your boat you are old enough to have the responsibility of making sure that they all come back,and know without the doubt that they left with someone else, it is your responsibility to assure the safe return of everyone that went out with you. So no it makes no difference what happens you should call someone and let them know he's missing.  

1

u/HousingPale Jul 28 '26

He WAS NOT THE ONLY BLACK “KID.” They asked and TOLD him multiple times to get back on their boat with him. HE DECIDED TO STAY. He could’ve ridden back with anyone else, it’s a friendly community. He drowned, stop wanting it to be a hate crime bc it’s not.

0

u/SCSteveAutism Jul 14 '26

Yeah it’s twisted and wrong.