Wells Family Attorneys Release Phone Examination Findings

Attorneys for Nolan Wells’ family released findings from a cellphone examination on September 24, reporting that data had been deleted from the 18-year-old’s phone and that its location records traced its movements after he was last known to use it. The presentation came days after a Mississippi grand jury found insufficient evidence of criminal wrongdoing and declined to recommend charges in Wells’ death. His family’s lawyers are calling for the investigation to remain open and have sought a review by the U.S. Department of Justice. Forensic examiner Andrew Garrett, whose firm was retained by the family, said the examination found deleted material but could not establish who deleted it, precisely when it was deleted or why. The contents of the deleted messages were not disclosed. Garrett said the findings did not identify a person responsible for the deletions or establish that they were connected to Wells’ death. Garrett said phone records showed the device was unlocked at about 2:17 p.m. on July 4 while on a boat near Horn Island. It was then locked and traveled by boat and car before Wells’ family recovered it.