Nolan Wells murder case update: Forensic expert clarifies what happened to deleted Snapchat messages

The mystery surrounding Nolan Wells’ phone has taken another turn after a digital forensic expert hired by the teenager’s family clarified what he meant when he previously discussed deleted messages. Andrew Garrett said Snapchat messages had been remotely recalled or deleted by their senders, but he found no evidence that someone unlocked and tampered with Wells’ phone after his disappearance. The distinction is significant because it separates deleted Snapchat content from claims that someone accessed Wells’ device.Nolan Wells phone records offer a clearer pictureGarrett addressed the issue during a livestream published on YouTube on September 27. He explained that messages exchanged through Snapchat can be removed remotely by the person who sent them.“When we say erased from the phone, you’ve got to be a little careful with that. What happens is, when you and I are in conversation on Snapchat, and you decide to delete the messages on my side of the phone, you can do that remotely. That was done. There are some messages that were recalled and deleted from the phone,” Garrett said.He then stressed that his findings should not be interpreted as proof that someone physically accessed Wells’ device.“I didn’t say somebody unlocked the phone and started playing with the phone and started deleting the phone because that’s exactly what I would’ve said,” he added.Garrett said his examination also identified interactions with the device, such as the screen being activated, but those actions did not show that someone had unlocked it.Deleted Snapchat messages draw fresh attentionAlmost 3,000 Snapchat records from Wells’ account were released by Garrett’s forensic company. The records include group conversations in which people began raising concerns about Wells’ whereabouts on July 5.Some messages had disappeared, but the available evidence indicated they were deleted by the senders rather than by someone operating Wells’ account or phone. Garrett said Wells’ phone was last used at about 2:17 or 2:18 p.m. on July 4 and remained locked until it reached his family on July 5.The distinction has also become part of a dispute between Wells’ family and attorneys for three friends who were with him before his death. Those attorneys deny that their clients deleted messages from Wells’ phone and have disputed claims attributed to the family’s forensic examiner.Their representatives have also said they intend to sue family attorney Ben Crump for defamation.The forensic clarification does not resolve the wider questions surrounding Wells’ disappearance and death. Instead, it narrows one specific issue: deleted Snapchat messages do not, based on Garrett’s explanation, establish that someone gained access to Wells’ locked phone.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.