Nolan Wells' Friend Hires Lawyer Over Murder Allegations Involving Girl

A friend of Nolan Wells, the 18-year-old who went missing and was found dead after a July 4 boat trip, has hired a lawyer after facing serious online allegations. Authorities suspect drowning, but the family launched a private investigation, fearing foul play.

Bart Edmiston Jr. has been accused by internet sleuths of killing Nolan over a girl, based on a viral old photo of Bart with an unknown woman. Some online users speculated that Nolan and Bart were both romantically involved with a girl named Katie McCormick, with whom Nolan supposedly stayed on the island before his death.

Bart's attorney, Russell Latino, vehemently denies the allegations. He says the woman in the photo is not Katie but a high school classmate, and Bart did not know Katie before Nolan's death. The lawyer also denies that Bart contributed to Nolan's death, stating that Bart only helped a sinking boat belonging to Nolan's friends.

Bart Edmiston, a 21-year-old college student, has fully cooperated with law enforcement, providing access to his boat, GPS, and phone. The attorney revealed that Bart received a "credible death threat" due to "made-up speculation" and plans to sue those spreading false claims. The FBI and local authorities have been notified.

Nolan Wells' family continues to seek justice, but the lawyer urges the public to avoid violence and misinformation. The investigation is ongoing, with no official conclusion on the cause of death.

This case highlights how online rumors can have real-world consequences. It's crucial to await the investigation results rather than jump to conclusions based on unverified information.