As questions continue surrounding the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, a false narrative has spread across social media with startling speed. Users have been claiming that Wells was a descendant of Ida B. Wells, the legendary journalist and anti-lynching activist. The theory gained traction quickly, with many suggesting the connection would make the case symbolically profound given Mississippi’s documented history of racial violence.

There’s a significant problem: it isn’t true. Ida B. Wells‘ great-granddaughter Michelle Duster learned about the rumor the same way most people did—through her social media feeds. “My cousin was like, ‘Is this true?'” Duster told PEOPLE. Within hours, friends, relatives, and strangers began flooding her with messages asking whether Nolan belonged to their family.

The answer, definitively, is no.

Duster explained the genealogy clearly. After Ida B. Wells married attorney Ferdinand Barnett, the family took the Wells-Barnett surname, and their descendants carry the Barnett name. Extensive family records show no connection between Nolan Wells and her lineage.

“I understand why people are really, really keeping close track of everything, and my heart goes out to the family,” Duster said. “It’s hard to imagine the level of pain that they all must be going through.”

The fixation makes sense within context. Mississippi’s history—from the lynching campaigns that Ida B. Wells spent her life documenting to contemporary conversations about racial justice—has made many Black communities cautious when young Black people die under unclear circumstances. Unanswered questions invite speculation.

But Duster pushed back on using history as justification for fabrication. “It’s really easy to find that information,” she pointed out. In today’s social media environment, emotionally resonant narratives often outpace actual facts.

“I strongly feel that this situation connecting Ida to Nolan without any fact behind it is not only about that,” Duster said. “It’s about the lack of regulation on social media to ensure that what people are putting out there is true.” She emphasized that too many users share information without bothering to verify it first.

The Ida B. Wells rumor isn’t isolated. The Wells case has accumulated layers of misinformation since his disappearance during a July 4 trip to Mississippi’s Horn Island. Another unfounded claim accused his teammates of involvement in his death. Rumors about what he was wearing when discovered and conspiracies surrounding autopsy results have further muddied the waters.

The actual investigation remains unsolved. Officials initially concluded he drowned, but his family rejected that conclusion as premature and continues demanding answers. Investigators are still working to determine what happened during those final hours.

Misinformation has real consequences. False claims distract from facts, pull resources away from actual investigations, and create new victims. As Wells’ case continues, Duster’s message cuts through the noise: honor the truth, not the algorithm.