Volunteer Rescuer Pushes Back on Claims Nolan Wells Was Heavily Intoxicated Before Death

A member of the volunteer search team that helped recover Nolan Wells‘ body is pushing back on claims that the Mississippi teen was heavily intoxicated before his death.

“My understanding is that even though there was pictures of the boys drinking beer and stuff, Nolan’s blood alcohol level was not at an intoxicated level,” Brian Trascher, the vice president and spokesperson for the United Cajun Navy, told People in an article published on Tuesday, July 14.

No official toxicology report has been released as of yet, however.

Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter previously urged the public not to speculate while investigators work to determine exactly what happened the night of Nolan’s death over the Independence Day weekend.

“I think it’s important we don’t put ourselves on a timetable, that we don’t rush ourselves,” Ledbetter told ABC News’ Aaron Katersky in an interview that aired on Good Morning America on Tuesday, per People. “But I do think it’s important to be diligent in gathering all the facts. That’s what the family deserves.”

The question of alcohol has become a focal point in the investigation after Nolan’s friend, Tracestin Shepherd, told GMA that the group of friends had been drinking the day Nolan died.

“Well, we were just having fun all day,” Shepherd said. “And then as the day went on, people started to drink more and people started getting more drunk.”

The latest development comes after Nolan’s parents, Christine Wells-Wonsley and Elmore Wonsley, have hired civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump to conduct an independent investigation into their son’s death.

After Christine told CNN on Monday, July 13, that she hadn’t heard from investigators since July 7, Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath told ABC News the following day that she planned to meet with Nolan’s parents on Wednesday, July 15.

“We’re able to share with victims a little bit more than we can share with outsiders,” McIlraath told the network. “They’d probably get to know a little bit more if there is more to know, but it’s very limited again in what we can say.”

Nolan was reported missing after he and a group of friends traveled to Horn Island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast on July 4. According to authorities, the group became separated, and Nolan was later found dead near the island after an extensive search.