Three friends of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old college football player who died after disappearing during a July 4 boating trip, are threatening legal action against The View co-host Sunny Hostin over comments she made about the case.

Attorneys representing Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo, and Morgan Seymour sent Hostin a pre-suit demand letter on September 16, requesting that she retract the allegedly defamatory statements, delete them, and issue a public apology within 10 days.

The letter warns that the three young men could pursue a defamation lawsuit if their demands are not met.

Lawyers Accuse Sunny Hostin of Making Serious Allegations
The attorneys, Edward Andrew Paltzik and J. Tyler Cox, accused Hostin of making statements that unfairly connected their clients to Nolan Wells’ death.

According to the letter reported by the New York Post, Hostin raised questions about Wells’ cellphone, social media activity, and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance during discussions on The View and its podcast, Behind the Table.

Hostin reportedly questioned why the three friends had not been separately interviewed by police and discussed claims involving Wells’ phone.

The lawyers argued that these comments created the impression that their clients could have been involved in serious criminal conduct, including murder, hindering prosecution, and evidence tampering.

They strongly rejected those implications and said the statements had no factual basis.

Friends Deny Possessing Wells’ Phone
The legal notice disputes claims that Hudson, Pitalo, and Seymour possessed or withheld Nolan Wells’ cellphone.

According to their attorneys, the three men never had actual possession of the phone and did not alter, delete, or modify any information stored on it.

The lawyers said the phone was brought back to shore by another member of the wider group and was later returned to a friend of Wells’ family without delay.

They also stated that their clients had cooperated with law enforcement and had turned over their phones for inspection.

The claims in the letter represent the defense of the three men and have not been tested in a defamation trial.

Dispute Over Racial Comments on The View
Hostin’s discussion of the case also included comments about race.

According to the attorneys’ letter, she suggested that Wells was the only Black person on an island where the other young people were white and raised the possibility of racial undertones.

The lawyers disputed that characterization, saying Wells was not the only Black individual present on the island.

They argued that Hostin had presented an incomplete account of the circumstances and had failed to adequately research the facts before making public statements.

The letter also raised concerns about Hostin’s relationship with civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Wells’ family. The attorneys alleged that the relationship created a conflict of interest in her coverage of the case.

Nolan Wells Disappeared During July 4 Boating Trip
Nolan Wells disappeared during a boating trip to Horn Island, off the Mississippi Gulf Coast, on July 4.

According to reports, Wells remained on the island while his friends returned to shore. He did not return that evening, prompting a search.

His body was discovered two days later on the island.

Authorities have said they believe Wells drowned and have not indicated that they suspect foul play. However, official autopsy results had not been publicly released at the time of the New York Post report.

An independent autopsy commissioned by Wells’ family reportedly left the cause and manner of death undetermined.

No charges had been filed against the three friends in connection with Wells’ death.

Legal Threat Follows Similar Notice to Al Sharpton
The demand letter sent to Sunny Hostin is not the first legal warning issued by attorneys representing Wells’ friends.

On August 21, the same attorneys sent a similar pre-suit notice to Reverend Al Sharpton, who had publicly supported Wells’ family and officiated his funeral in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Sharpton denied defaming or accusing the young men of a crime and said he welcomed a lawsuit.

Hostin’s legal dispute now adds another public figure to the ongoing controversy surrounding the circumstances of Nolan Wells’ death.

The attorneys have given Hostin 10 days to retract the statements, remove the allegedly defamatory content, and apologize. Whether the dispute develops into a formal lawsuit remains to be seen.

Course: NY Post