Witnesses told investigators that 18-year-old Nolan Wells had been drinking heavily with friends on Horn Island in Mississippi before he went missing, according to preliminary information from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Wells disappeared on July 4 and was found dead on July 6.

The document detailing the witnesses' accounts was an email sent by the Marine patrol on July 5 as part of the search efforts. The email contained basic information about Wells, including his physical description, as authorities scanned the island for any signs of him.

The cause of Nolan Wells' death remains unknown, with both the official autopsy report from the state Medical Examiner's Office and toxicology tests still pending. The family of Nolan Wells commissioned a private autopsy, which preliminarily determined his cause and manner of death as undetermined pending further investigation.

This information comes as the family and authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Wells' death. The preliminary details regarding his alcohol consumption are part of the ongoing efforts to piece together his final hours.

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources document is one of the first official pieces of information released that includes witness statements regarding Wells' activities prior to his disappearance. The Marine patrol's email served as a description for searchers combing Horn Island.

Legal representatives for the Wells family, including attorney Ben Crump, have been involved in announcing the results of the independent autopsy. The family is seeking clarity on the circumstances leading to the young man's death.

Officials have not yet released further details regarding the investigation, emphasizing that it is ongoing. The pending official autopsy and toxicology reports are expected to provide crucial information.

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on gathering all available information to determine the cause and manner of Nolan Wells' death.