A children’s educator and YouTube personality is drawing attention with a Ms. Rachel Instagram post that questions how authorities handled the investigation into the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, citing allegations from social media users that race influenced the response.
In a message shared on Instagram, Ms. Rachel, whose legal name is Rachel Accurso, appeared to challenge aspects of the case surrounding Wells’ death, suggesting the investigation would have unfolded differently if the races of those involved were reversed. “We know the investigation and everything that followed would have been different if Nolan Wells were white and his friends were Black,” she wrote. “Nolan and his family deserve justice.”
Ms. Rachel Instagram post fuels debate
Wells disappeared on July 4 after a boat outing with high school friends to Horn Island, a barrier island about eight miles off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. His remains were discovered two days later on the island’s northwestern tip by a National Park Service ranger. The friends returned to shore the evening he went missing, according to authorities.
An independent autopsy obtained by the family listed the manner of death as undetermined pending further investigation. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the Wells family, outlined the findings last week at the NAACP National Convention in Chicago, according to the Associated Press. He said the report noted no fractures or deep tissue injuries and described a “red discoloration” on the back of Wells’ skull as inconclusive, warranting additional inquiry.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Roger Mitchell wrote that without more information, he could not rule out the possibility that non-accidental factors contributed to or caused the death, according to those remarks.
A second autopsy commissioned by the Mississippi medical examiner has not yet been released. Authorities have not announced any charges in the case.
The death has prompted widespread online speculation, much of it focusing on the fact that Wells was Black and his friends are white. Following Accurso’s post, hundreds of commenters endorsed the view that the investigation might have proceeded differently if the group’s races were reversed.
Some, however, urged caution. Former Palm Beach County, Florida, State Attorney Dave Aronberg criticized public figures for drawing conclusions about race in an active case. He said the investigation needs more transparency and that the family deserves answers, but argued that social media claims alleging a cover-up without evidence are not helpful.
Accurso’s remarks follow a series of posts addressing political and social issues on her account. In recent posts, she responded to critics who told her to “stay in [her] lane,” saying she has long cared about how children are treated around the world. She also drew attention after criticizing a video shared by President Donald Trump that showed kindergarten graduates wearing hijabs.
Requests for comment were sent to Accurso, Crump and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.