Mississippi teen Nolan Wells’ friend shares his account as family continues to seek answers

Warren Hudson spoke publicly for the first time, describing Wells as a close friend while leaving key questions about the day on Horn Island unanswered.

Warren Hudson, who describes himself as Nolan Wells’ close friend, gave his first public interview Tuesday to Brandon Tatum, the conservative commentator known as “The Officer Tatum.” Hudson said Horn Island was packed with thousands of people on July 4, with boats stretching for miles around the island, and that Wells appeared “completely fine” while drinking with the larger group that day.

Hudson said he grew close to Wells in eighth grade, when the two would eat together weekly, and described their friend group as “very tight-knit.” But he acknowledged he never got to know Wells’ parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley, though he maintained that “didn’t change” his relationship with Wells, saying they “were still just as close.”

Notably, Hudson did not address how Wells became separated from the group during the portion of the interview shared publicly, focusing instead on the lead-up to the trip and their friendship.

Hudson’s mother, Chancery Court Judge Ashlee Cole, had previously said her family would only speak to investigators or Wells’ family directly.

Hudson’s interview came a day before attorney Ben Crump and the NAACP revealed findings from an independent autopsy at a Wednesday press conference in Chicago.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Roger A. Mitchell could not determine Wells’ cause of death, but noted unexplained red discoloration on the back of Wells’ skull and missing throat structures that limited his examination. Mitchell said he cannot rule out foul play, and Crump added that seven key questions, including how Wells entered the water, remain unanswered.