Nolan Wells death: at least two people charged over alleged threats to officials
Threats come as questions surround death of Mississippi teenager, who was found dead after boat trip with friends
TL;DR
- Two individuals, Michelle Francine Edwards and Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce, have been charged with making threats against Mississippi public officials.
- These charges are separate from the investigation into the death of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Black college freshman found dead after a boat trip.
- Wells's death has heightened racial tensions due to his race and the races of his companions on the boat trip, and has led to social media speculation.
- Edwards allegedly made multiple threatening calls, including bomb threats, to county offices.
- Dumarce allegedly sent threatening messages to a judge whose son was on the boat trip with Wells.
- An independent autopsy of Wells's death was inconclusive, with the family's lawyer, Ben Crump, noting missing neck tissue and unexplained discoloration.
- Civil rights leaders, including Rev. Al Sharpton, are demanding transparency and answers in Wells's case.
- An online fundraiser for Wells's friends aims to defend against potential litigation and has raised significant funds.
- The results of Wells's official state autopsy have not yet been released and have been sent to a grand jury.