Three friends of Nolan Wells have issued a notice to the Rev. Al Sharpton that they intend to sue him for defamation unless Sharpton publicly retracts and apologizes for statements the group says Sharpton made accusing the group of direct involvement in Wells’ death.
The three friends—Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo and Morgan Seymore—issued the letter to Sharpton through their attorneys, Tyler Cox and Edward Paltzik, on Aug. 21.
On July 4, the three men and Wells traveled to Horn Island, located off the Mississippi Gulf Coast, for a day of partying. Wells chose to remain on the island while his three friends returned to shore. However, Wells never returned that evening, and his mother, Christine Wonsley, along with Hudson reported Wells missing. Wells was found dead on the island two days later. Authorities have not determined Wells’ cause of death and there have been no charges filed against anyone for alleged wrongdoing.
Official autopsy results have not been released, and an independent autopsy commissioned by Wells’ family found his cause and manner of death undetermined.
Sharpton has made several appearances with Wells’ family and spoken on the case on numerous occasions. Attorneys for Wells’ three friends argue that several of those statements imply the group’s involvement in Wells’ death and constitute defamation.
“You falsely accused these three completely innocent young men of extremely serious wrongdoing that constitutes multiple felonies under Mississippi law, including, but not limited to: Murder; Hindering prosecution in the first degree; and Tampering with physical evidence,” the letter says.
‘Intended to Accuse’
In the intent-to-sue letter, attorneys Tyler Cox and Edward Paltzik alleged that the Rev. Al Sharpton defamed their clients during an interview with TMZ on July 14, 2026, where he spoke on the investigation into the death of Nolan Wells.
During the TMZ interview, Sharpton made statements calling for answers regarding the circumstances of Wells’ death and questioned the three friends’ involvement.
“I was first of all, stunned at the fact that this young man, is going out, he and three friends, he black, they white and a day later his mother and them start searching for him, no one comes forward, and then they find out after two days, that they claim his body was washed up and that they had given his cell phone and his keys to one of the three friends saying he didn’t want to go back from Horn Island with them,” Sharpton said in the TMZ interview.
Cox and Paltzik allege that while Sharpton did not directly name their clients, he was undoubtedly referring to Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo and Morgan Seymore during his appearance.
“Have they brought these three young men in for questioning under oath?” Sharpton said in the interview with TMZ. Sharpton also said, “You got to look at the possibility of racism at different levels. One, were any of the three guys racist?”
The attorneys argue that Sharpton’s statements were intended “to accuse them of infamous crimes, publicly claim them as criminal, identify them as enemies, endanger them, and subject them to threats, ridicule, and scorn.”
Cox and Paltzik also alleged that Sharpton made defamatory statements during an online vigil to honor Wells’ legacy on Aug. 19, 2026, which would’ve been Wells’ 19th birthday.
“He had friends in the community in Ocean Springs. And, as one would do with friends, holidays you spend together. On the 4th of July of this year, he and three young white male friends, people he was acquainted with, decided to go to Horn Island, because that’s where a lot of the festivities happen. Hours later, the three friends came back, and he was not with them. And, that is where the mystery happened. When his parents recognized he was not back at a certain time, they started calling around and they found that he had not come back with the three friends. And that’s where it gets cloudy. What the friends knew, when they knew it, why they didn’t hand over the cell phone over right away when it was clear he was not back with them, the keys, all of that needs to be litigated.”
Cox and Paltzik argue that this statement was both inappropriate and false, alleging that Sharpton knew that Wells and his friends did not travel alone to the island and the three friends were not in possession of Wells’ phone.
The attorneys condemned these comments, saying in the letter that Sharpton “singled them out in front of an entire online audience.”
In the letter sent to Sharpton, attorneys Cox and Paltzik also cite text messages and calls they say show that Warren Hudson personally contacted Christine Wonsley to inquire about whether Wells returned home.
The attorneys include a timeline of events with the letter and write that at approximately 10:00 p.m. on July 4, Wells’ friends, including Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo and Morgan Seymore, contacted mutual friends in an attempt to locate him.
At approximately 11:07 p.m., a call log included in the letter shows Hudson called Wonsley to ask whether Wells had returned home. When she said he had not, Hudson then contacted the United States Coast Guard to report Wells missing.
The letter included a call log with a call to the U.S. Coast Guard timestamped at 11:13 p.m. on July 4. It also included photos of text messages between Hudson and Wonsley beginning at 11:15 p.m., along with call logs of three more calls with Wonsley and two with the Coast Guard.
Cox and Paltzik argue that Sharpton’s statements are in contrast with existing facts and may constitute defamation per se, meaning that the statements are so harmful on their face that the plaintiffs would not need to prove financial or reputational damages.
The two attorneys are demanding that Sharpton apologize publicly, cease further publication of the alleged defamatory statements and retract and delete any statements implying their clients have committed a crime.
Sharpton ‘Welcomes’ Lawsuit
On Friday, the Rev. Al Sharpton responded to potential litigation against him in the Nolan Wells case and issued a public statement with the National Action Network welcoming a lawsuit.
“I welcome the lawsuit and will have my attorneys be in touch with theirs to arrange for them to serve me so we can get in court,” Sharpton said in the statement.
Sharpton said he’s gotten involved in the case to advocate for transparency during the investigation into Wells’ death.
“I have been involved in the case for one sole reason: To help Nolan’s parents Christine and Elmore find the truth in what happened to their beloved son through a transparent and accountable investigation,” Sharpton said. “ If a lawsuit is a catalyst for the truth, then it is welcomed and it will not deter NAN or me from continuing to stand with the family in their pursuit of justice.”
Follow the Mississippi Free Press’ coverage of the Nolan Wells case and read past stories here.
Mississippi Free Press stories are always free because we believe everyone should have access to quality journalism. Donations from readers like you make that possible. Please click here to give to help sustain and grow vital, people-over-power journalism for Mississippians.
Readers can sign up for our free newsletters here.
