Three Charged for Threats in Black Teen's Death Investigation

By Luke Cooper

Topic: Law, Crime and Justice

Thu 6 Aug 2026 at 11:09am

The investigation into Nolan Wells' death has many people talking online.

In short:

Three people are charged with threatening a US judge and others in the case of a Black teen's mysterious death.

People in Ohio, Illinois, and California allegedly threatened to hurt or kill witnesses and legal offices in Mississippi.

What's next?

The full report on Nolan Wells' death is not out yet.

Three people are charged with threatening a judge, police, and witnesses in the case of a Black teen's death, which is now surrounded by rumors and racial tension.

Nolan Wells, 18, went to a party with friends on an island off the Mississippi coast and did not come back alive.

His friends went home, but Nolan's body was found on the island two days later.

A Black teen went to a party with white friends and did not come home alive, and his death is now full of rumors.

Nolan Wells' family is looking for answers, and many famous people are supporting them.

The results of an independent autopsy are not clear, and the police have not said what they think happened.

The police in Mississippi have not arrested anyone or said who they think is responsible for Nolan Wells' death.

The alleged threats happened because many people do not trust the police and the law in Mississippi, a state with a difficult racial history.

The people charged with making threats were found in other states and did not know Nolan Wells or his family.

A complaint was filed against a man named Joseph Dumarce, who lives in California, about 3,700 kilometers from Nolan Wells' hometown.

Joseph Dumarce allegedly sent a threatening message to a judge's office in Mississippi.

The message said he would send a package that could explode and cause a lot of blood.

The FBI found Joseph Dumarce by tracking the message to his Facebook account and other apps.

A judge posted a screenshot of the threatening message online.

The judge said her son was with Nolan Wells on the island and decided to stay longer with other friends.

The judge said she is afraid for her children's safety and deactivated her Facebook account.

The judge said her family is not trying to stop the police investigation and wants to know what happened to Nolan Wells.

Pictures online show Nolan Wells with his white friends on the trip.

Another complaint was filed against a woman named Michelle Edwards, who allegedly sent bomb threats to the police.

Michelle Edwards used a blocked phone number to call the police 21 times in a short time.

She allegedly said 'do not go outside' and 'the clock is ticking'.

Nolan Wells' death has many people talking, including famous civil rights leaders who think his race might have been a factor.

Michelle Edwards also called the police and said 'y'all got a bomb outside'.

A third complaint was filed against a man named Edward Porter, who allegedly threatened to kill a witness.

Edward Porter also threatened to hurt another witness, according to the FBI.

The threats were made against people who knew Nolan Wells and were helping with the investigation.

There is an anonymous complaint against Nolan Wells' mother, who is a nurse.

The complaint was made to the Mississippi Board of Nursing, but the details are not clear.

Christine Wonsley, Nolan's mother, encouraged people to be kind and spread love.

Christine Wonsley's lawyer said she has been a good nurse for many years and does not deserve this complaint.

The lawyer said the complaint was made after Nolan Wells' death, and it seems like someone is trying to hurt his mother.

Nolan Wells' parents were supported by civil rights leaders at his funeral.

At first, the police said they did not think anyone was responsible for Nolan Wells' death, and he might have drowned.

Many people are talking about what might have happened, but the police say these ideas are not confirmed.

Some people are warning others not to jump to conclusions before the police finish their investigation.

Nolan Wells' mother just wants to know what happened to her son.

She said 'we just want to know what happened and why our baby didn't come home'.

ABC/Reuters

See more ABC coverage

ฝึกฟัง