The Mississippi Governor Claims the Civil Rights Leaders Are “Stoking Division” as the FBI Investigates Threats Against Witnesses, Officials and Nolan Wells’ Family
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves is blaming civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Rev. Al Sharpton for threats and growing hostility surrounding the investigation into the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells.
Reeves made the allegations as federal authorities investigate threats against public officials, potential witnesses, Wells’ family and people who were with the teenager before he disappeared.
“Ben Crump and Al Sharpton are to blame for the threats,” Reeves said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. “They are stoking division for personal gain. It’s sad to see, but not unexpected.”
Reeves also defended the work of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the state medical examiner, saying he was confident investigators would follow the facts wherever they led.
Authorities have not publicly presented evidence connecting Crump or Sharpton to any threats.
FBI Investigates Threats Connected to Nolan Wells Case
Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell confirmed that threats against agency employees, possible witnesses and their families are under investigation.
Tindell discussed the threats during an appearance on “The Sit Down” with Magnolia Tribune founder Russ Latino. He said federal authorities had offered assistance to investigators handling Wells’ death and were separately examining threats that may fall under federal jurisdiction.
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“When you make those types of threats against public officials, against possible witnesses, and against the folks that are involved in this investigation and the family, then you are also committing a criminal act,” Tindell said. “That’s going to be taken very, very seriously.”
Tindell said heightened public interest and false information circulating about the case had contributed to angry calls and messages, some of which he described as direct threats. He said Wells’ mother, Christine Wells-Wonsley, had also reportedly received threats.
The FBI said its work addressing interstate threats is proceeding alongside the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office investigation into Wells’ death.
Independent Autopsy Leaves Cause of Death Undetermined
Reeves’ criticism came shortly after Crump announced preliminary findings from an independent autopsy requested by Wells’ family.
Wells disappeared July 4 after traveling with friends to Horn Island, a barrier island off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. His body was recovered July 6 after a two-day search.
The independent examination, conducted by board-certified forensic pathologist Dr. Roger Mitchell, did not determine Wells’ cause or manner of death. The report noted red discoloration on the back of Wells’ head but could not determine whether it resulted from an injury or changes following death.
The examination was also limited because some organs and neck structures had been removed during the state’s initial autopsy. Mitchell said the missing material prevented him from fully evaluating whether drowning, a neck injury or another factor contributed to Wells’ death.
Crump acknowledged that the independent autopsy did not establish evidence of wrongdoing but said it also could not rule out whether nonaccidental factors contributed to Wells’ death.
Wells’ family has continued pressing state and local authorities for greater transparency and a complete explanation of what happened to him.
The official state autopsy has not been publicly released. District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said the report will remain sealed until the investigation is presented to a grand jury.
Neither Crump nor Sharpton had publicly responded to Reeves’ allegations at the time of publication. The investigation into Wells’ death and the reported threats remains ongoing.
