Nolan Wells' friends cleared by grand jury as their lawyers vow to hold online accusers accountable

After a Mississippi grand jury found that Nolan Wells' death was "consistent with drowning" and turned up no evidence of a crime or racial motive, an attorney for one of the men wrongly targeted online said his client intends to hold the accusers accountable.

Wells, 19, disappeared July 4 after taking a boat trip to Horn Island, a barrier island along Mississippi's Gulf Coast, with a group of friends.

Search crews combed the area for two days until a National Park Service ranger discovered his remains at the island's northwestern tip on July 6.

Months later, a Jackson County, Mississippi, grand jury returned a "no true bill" in Wells' death investigation, meaning no indictment or charges will be filed.

"The Grand Jury finds that the position of, the condition of, time of discovery, and location of Mr.

Wells' remains is consistent with drowning," the grand jury wrote.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Russell Latino, who represents Bart Edmiston and his family, said "This story involves two tragedies.

SEARCH CALLED OFF AFTER BODY MATCHING MISSING TEEN NOLAN WELLS FOUND OFF MISSISSIPPI COAST "The death of Nolan Wells is a tragedy.

So too is the way his friends, his community and his state were maligned by unscrupulous charlatans and grifters who spread false and malicious lies," Latino said.

"The grand jury, made up of Mississippians of all races and backgrounds, did its solemn duty.

But to anyone who knew the actual facts, not reckless garbage spewed on the internet, the result of the process was never in doubt.

The Edmiston family looks forward to bringing accountability to those who exploited tragedy to divide and injure.

They continue to pray for healing, for the family of Nolan and for their precious community." Edmiston and other friends of Wells' were subjected to months of online rumors and speculation that they were somehow criminally responsible for the then-18-year-old's death.

The grand jury and Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath both concluded those allegations were baseless.