New video may show Nolan Wells on day he disappeared

Newly released video may offer another clue in the investigation into the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells.

(NBC)- Newly released video may offer another clue in the investigation into the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, who disappeared during a trip to Mississippi’s Horn Island over the Fourth of July weekend.

TMZ published video it says was recorded on July 4, the last day Wells was seen alive. The footage appears to show a man standing on the back of a boat, but his face is never visible. The shorts worn by the man appear similar to those Wells was wearing in photos taken that day.

NBC News confirmed the location shown in the video matches previously verified footage from Horn Island on July 4. Two people who knew Wells told NBC News they believe the person in the video could be Wells, but they could not say for certain.

Wells traveled to Horn Island with friends on Independence Day. His body was found two days later. It remains unclear whether he was with anyone when he disappeared.

The boat shown in the newly released video is not the same vessel Wells reportedly used to travel to Horn Island.

TMZ reported the video has been turned over to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and investigators are aware of the footage. NBC News said it has reached out to both the sheriff’s office and the Wells family’s attorney for comment but had not received a response.

Boaters familiar with Horn Island say it is common for people to return on different boats because many in the local boating community know one another.

Meanwhile, the Wells family’s attorney says preliminary findings from an independent autopsy are expected to be released Wednesday as investigators continue working to determine what happened during Wells’ final hours.