President Donald Trump said Wednesday (October 7) that his administration is considering whether the FBI should launch an independent investigation into the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells.
Trump was asked at the White House whether he would have the FBI investigate Wells’ death. “Well, we’re looking at that,” Trump said, according to NewsNation.
The comments come after Wells’ family and civil rights leaders renewed calls for a federal investigation on Monday (October 5). Wells, a Black college athlete from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, traveled with friends to an island off the Mississippi coast on July 4 but did not return with them. His body was found two days later on Horn Island.
Wells’ friends, who had his keys and cellphone, told authorities he stayed behind on July 4.
A Jackson County grand jury declined to indict anyone in connection with Wells’ death,returning a “no true bill” on September 21 after reviewing evidence including phone records, GPS data, security footage, and testimony from 43 witnesses.
On September 24, the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s autopsy report was released and listed Wells’ cause and manner of death as “undetermined.” The report also documented two contusions on the back of his head but did not determine how the injuries occurred.
The Department of Justice told PEOPLE in a Tuesday (October 6) statement that it had found no evidence indicating foul play or criminal activity in Wells’ death.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Wells’ family, welcomed Trump’s comments.
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