Audio reveals friends' distress call after boat malfunction near Horn Island

New audio obtained by NBC News captures a distress call from friends of 18-year-old Nolan Wells as their boat experienced a bilge pump failure and began taking on water near Horn Island on July 4. The callers reported the vessel was sinking and asked for help, stating, "Hey, we’re at the west tip of Horn, and our bilge pump stopped working. We’re going. We’re sinking. Can you all please come?" They also expressed a desire to have the boat towed.

GPS data from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources shows the boat was towed about three miles before regaining speed and returning to its departure point at 5:44 p.m. The incident occurred after the group left the mainland for a Fourth of July outing; the last sighting of Wells by a companion was around 3 p.m., according to Jackson County Chancery Judge Ashlee Cole, whose son was among the friends.

Wells was reported missing that night and his body was recovered two days later off the northwest shore of Horn Island, identified through dental records. Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said there was no indication of foul play, and investigators believe he drowned during the incident. Civil-rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, has commissioned an independent autopsy funded by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick; results have not yet been released.

Wells' funeral is scheduled in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.