NOLAN WELLS CASE: Newly reviewed records are bringing fresh attention to the death of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells, and one of the most important developments centers on a contradiction that investigators still have not publicly resolved:

Did Nolan voluntarily stay behind on Horn Island — or did he believe he was leaving with the friends who brought him there?

That question has become even more important as the FBI assists investigators with forensic examination of digital evidence collected in the case. Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter previously confirmed that federal agents were helping analyze electronic evidence while local investigators interviewed dozens of witnesses. The FBI has also been involved in addressing interstate threats connected to people surrounding the investigation.

But the most striking contradiction comes from a young woman Nolan reportedly spoke with shortly before he vanished.

Friends who traveled to Horn Island with Nolan told investigators that he decided to remain on the island because he wanted to spend time with a young woman identified in reporting as Katie.

That version appeared to explain why their boat returned without him.

But according to reporting based on investigative records, the young woman gave police a significantly different account.

She reportedly said Nolan indicated that he was going back with his friends.