THE family of tragic teen Nolan Wells is set for a major legal breakthrough as they prepare to meet prosecutors investigating his mysterious death.

The development comes as a key member of the volunteer search team disputed claims the 18-year-old had been heavily drinking before he vanished during a Fourth of July trip.

Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath will meet Nolan’s parents on Wednesday, marking the first face-to-face talks with the prosecutor since his body was recovered earlier this month.

Once the sheriff’s investigation is complete, the DA’s office will present the case to a grand jury, which is standard procedure in Jackson County for most unnatural or suspicious deaths.

Nolan disappeared while on a boat trip with friends to Horn Island, Mississippi, on July 4.

His body was found in the water near the island’s northwest end two days later, but authorities have not yet determined an official cause of death.

The breakthrough comes as investigators continue gathering evidence while waiting for autopsy and toxicology results.

Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter insisted Nolan’s loved ones would receive a full investigation.

“Nolan Wells’ family deserves a thorough and factual investigation, and that’s exactly what they’re going to get,” Ledbetter said.

He added: “I think it is important that we do not put ourselves on a timetable and we do not rush ourselves, but I also think it is important to be diligent in gathering all of the facts.”

The sheriff also renewed his appeal for anyone who was on Horn Island that day to come forward with information.

“Even if you may think that it might be insignificant. Every little bit helps, and that may be a bigger contribution than you think to this case,” Ledbetter said.

Authorities say the investigation has been complicated by the island’s remote location, with limited cellphone service and no surveillance cameras.

Ledbetter also acknowledged widespread rumors surrounding the case, including claims alcohol or drugs may have played a role.

Those rumors “have been brought to our attention,” he said, adding investigators were focused on evidence rather than speculation.

“We act on the information that we get, and we’re looking for factual information, witness, firsthand witness knowledge that we could use to this case.”

The sheriff also told ABC News: “We don’t respond to rumors. We respond to facts.”

Questions over alcohol consumption have circulated since Nolan’s friend Tracestin Shepherd said the group had spent the holiday swimming and drinking.

“Well, we were just having fun all day,” Shepherd told Good Morning America.

“And then as the day went on, people started to drink more and people started getting more drunk.”

But Brian Trascher, vice president and spokesman for the United Cajun Navy, which helped search for Nolan, cast doubt on claims the teen himself had been drinking to excess.

“My understanding is that even though there was pictures of the boys drinking beer and stuff, Nolan’s blood alcohol level was not at an intoxicated level,” Trascher told People.

The sheriff has previously confirmed Shepherd and the other teens on the trip have cooperated with investigators.

Meanwhile, Nolan’s family has launched its own independent investigation and commissioned a separate autopsy as they continue to press for answers over the teen’s final hours.