{"id":16039,"date":"2026-07-24T20:24:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T15:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=16039"},"modified":"2026-07-24T20:24:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T15:24:15","slug":"mississippi-gov-tate-reeves-blames-activists-in-nolan-wells-case-for-stoking-division","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=16039","title":{"rendered":"Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves blames activists in Nolan Wells case for \u2018stoking division&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F2%2F2026%2F07%2Fnolan-wells-governor-activists.jpg?quality%3D90%26strip%3Dall%261784889918\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft wp-block-nypost-editor-partner-article-links\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>MISSISSIPPI \u2013 The\u00a0FBI\u00a0is investigating threats against the <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/24\/us-news\/female-friend-talking-to-nolan-wells-before-he-disappeared-revealed-but-her-sister-disputes-his-pals-account-of-events-report\/\">people who were with Nolan Wells<\/a> in the hours before the Mississippi teen vanished and was <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/23\/us-news\/united-cajun-navy-sets-the-record-straight-on-how-nolan-wells-body-was-found-families-deserve-the-truth\/\">found dead<\/a>, one of the state\u2019s top law enforcement officials says.<\/p>\n<p>Wells, 18,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/24\/us-news\/nolan-wells-pal-begged-him-to-get-the-f-k-on-the-boat-before-teen-vanished-best-friend-claims\/\">disappeared July 4\u00a0after joining friends on a boat trip<\/a> to Horn Island, a barrier island off Mississippi\u2019s Gulf Coast. <\/p>\n<p>Search crews scoured the area for two days before a National Park Service ranger <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/06\/us-news\/body-found-in-search-for-nolan-xavier-wells-18-who-vanished-during-fourth-of-july-celebrations-reports\/\">found his remains<\/a> on the island\u2019s northwestern tip on July 6.<\/p>\n<p>Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said Wednesday that the\u00a0FBI\u00a0is investigating threats made against public officials, the people who were with Wells before he vanished and their families. <\/p>\n<p>Tindell made the comments on Mississippi Public Broadcasting\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/magnoliatribune.com\/2026\/07\/21\/nolan-wells-death-is-tragic-on-so-many-levels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cThe Sit Down\u201d<\/a>\u00a0hosted by Magnolia Tribune Founder and CEO Russ Latino.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Nolan Wells, 18,\u00a0disappeared July 4\u00a0after joining friends on a boat trip to Horn Island, a barrier island off Mississippi\u2019s Gulf Coast. <span class=\"credit\">via REUTERS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Wells is pictured with his parents Christine and Elmore Wonsley in an undated photo released by the family attorney Ben Crump on July 10, 2026.\u00a0 <span class=\"credit\">via REUTERS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m sure state law enforcement and the FBI is going to be very interested in investigating, so, you know, when you make those types of threats against public officials, against possible witnesses, and against, the, you know, the folks that are involved in this investigation and the family, then you are also, committing a\u00a0criminal act, and that\u2019s going to be taken very, very seriously,\u201d Tindell said.<\/p>\n<p>Tindell said \u201cfalse information\u201d shared about <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/22\/us-news\/nolan-wells-preliminary-autopsy-results-released-after-teen-vanished-on-boating-trip\/\">Wells\u2019 death<\/a> has incited \u201crage and emotion\u201d that has led to a higher level of calls coming into his office, some of which are \u201cdirect threats.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Tindell said he believes <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/17\/us-news\/nolan-wells-mom-opens-up-in-heartbreaking-video-my-heart-will-never-be-whole-again\/\">Wells\u2019 mother, Christine Wonsley<\/a>, has also received threats.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Here\u2019s the latest on the disappearance and death of Mississippi teen Nolan Wells: <\/h2>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p>\u201cI can tell you, the FBI has reached out. They\u2019re working in any capacity. They\u2019ve offered a hand, in this case, to do anything that that\u2019s needed from their end. But they\u2019re also taking a serious look, at some of these threats that have come across, to public officials, to witnesses to the family, to anybody involved in this case,\u201d Tindell said.<\/p>\n<p>Tindell confirmed to Fox News Digital that such threats are being investigated.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI can confirm that we have had threats made against DPS employees and those threats are being actively investigated. Some potential witnesses and their families have also received threats and those are being investigated as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said he believes Wells\u2019 mother has also received threats. <span class=\"credit\">Facebook \/ Christine Wonsley<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The warning from one of Mississippi\u2019s top public safety officials comes as national attention on the case has reached a fever pitch, with Rep. Andr\u00e9 Carson, D-Ind., accusing officials in Mississippi of not being transparent.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNot only are [Nolan Wells\u2019 family] suffering the unimaginable grief of losing a child, they\u2019re not getting the truth, transparency, or accountability. Mississippi officials retained some of <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/22\/us-news\/nolan-wells-was-missing-body-part-during-preliminary-autopsy\/\">Nolan\u2019s body parts<\/a>, so yesterday\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/23\/us-news\/timeline-for-nolan-wells-official-autopsy-revealed-after-independent-examination-leaves-questions\/\">independent autopsy leaves more questions unanswered<\/a>,\u201d Carson said.<\/p>\n<p>As the speculation has grown, Mississippi\u2019s top elected officials have begun pushing back publicly.<\/p>\n<p>Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves told Fox News Digital in a statement that attorney Ben Crump and Al Sharpton are responsible for inciting the threats.<\/p>\n<div class=\"single__inline-module inline-module inline-module--newsletter aligncenter inline-module--nypostbusinessunit aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-newsletter\" data-source-unit=\"Inline Newsletter Module Morning Report\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__inner\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__title-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__unsubmitted-title-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart your day with all you need to know\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"inline-module__cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMorning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cBen Crump and Al Sharpton are to blame for the threats. They are stoking division for personal gain. It\u2019s sad to see, but not unexpected. This is how they\u2019ve built their careers,\u201d Reeves said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJackson County law enforcement, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, and the State Medical Examiner are conducting a thorough investigation. I\u2019m confident they will follow the facts of the case, wherever that leads them. The state\u2019s top prosecutor is also drawing a hard line.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Mississippi\u00a0Attorney General\u00a0Lynn Fitch told Fox News Digital in a statement that her office will hold accountable anyone who threatens law enforcement working the case.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves told Fox News Digital in a statement that attorney Ben Crump and Al Sharpton are responsible for inciting the threats. <span class=\"credit\">USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cI am proud of the professionalism with which our law enforcement, district attorney, and other local leaders are approaching this tragic case. During an open investigation, it is vital to the cause of justice that everyone respect the integrity of the process. Efforts to intimidate, disrupt, or interfere with the work of our law enforcement and prosecutors and threats to their well-being will be taken seriously and we will hold those who make them accountable. A bright young life has been lost and we extend our prayers to his family,\u201d Fitch said.<\/p>\n<p>During Wednesday\u2019s news conference,\u00a0Crump revealed\u00a0that an area of \u201cred discoloration\u201d was found on Wells\u2019 head, but said Dr. Roger Mitchell, who performed the autopsy, couldn\u2019t come to a conclusion on a cause or manner of death \u201cpending further investigation.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>An <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/22\/us-news\/what-we-still-dont-know-from-nolan-wells-autopsy-results\/\">official autopsy<\/a> into Wells\u2019 death hasn\u2019t been completed, but the revelation from Crump fueled even more speculation.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Lawyer Ben Crump announces the results of an independent autopsy of Wells during a press conference at the NAACP Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on July 22, 2026.\u00a0 <span class=\"credit\">REUTERS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Rev. Al Sharpton delivers the eulogy during a funeral for Wells at Center Pointe Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, on July 20, 2026.  <span class=\"credit\">USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Wells\u2019 friends returned to the mainland that July afternoon without him, but\u00a0Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter\u00a0previously said investigators believe Wells chose to stay on the island. <\/p>\n<p>It wasn\u2019t until later that night that his mother learned he was missing from one of Wells\u2019 friends and reported it to authorities.<\/p>\n<p>The FBI told Fox News Digital in a statement it\u2019s working with local law enforcement to investigate the threats.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFrom day one, we have been supporting Jackson County as they\u2019ve worked to gather information and find answers for the Wells Family and the community. The FBI will remain ready to assist JCSO Investigators as they request our support, particularly when federal resources may expand their capacity to provide clarity and peace of mind for Nolan\u2019s loved ones,\u201d the agency said. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt the federal level, the FBI has been working to address interstate threats that were received by individuals related to this matter, but these efforts are in parallel with Jackson County\u2019s independent investigation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Fox News Digital has reached out to Crump and Sharpton for comment.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MISSISSIPPI \u2013 The\u00a0FBI\u00a0is investigating threats against the people who were with Nolan Wells in the hours before the Mississippi teen vanished and was found dead, one of the state\u2019s top law enforcement officials says. Wells, 18,\u00a0disappeared July 4\u00a0after joining friends on a boat trip to Horn Island, a barrier island off Mississippi\u2019s Gulf Coast. Search&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16040,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nolan-wells-governor-activists.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&1784889918&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16039","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16039","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16039"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16039\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16040"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}