Nolan Wells update: a park ranger found a body on Horn Island while searching for Nolan Xavier Wells, and Christine Wonsley later said her son died Monday afternoon. The body matched the missing 18-year-old's description, and authorities were waiting on DNA testing.
Wells went missing on Saturday, July 4, after going to Horn Island with several friends. He was last seen around 3 p.m. that day on the barrier island, which sits 10 miles south of Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Christine Wonsley on Monday afternoon
Wonsley wrote on Facebook that her family was devastated. “His father, our family, friends and I are absolutely devastated,” she said. She also wrote, “My heart is broken for my sweet son who was always willing to cheer and uplift others.”
She added, “Nolan was a special soul, God took his time creating our son.”
Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd said “there is no reason to believe it is not him,” and the Jackson County sheriff said the body matched Wells’ description. The cause of death was not determined, even as DNA testing remained pending.
Search for Wells on Gulf Coast
State, federal and local agencies took part in the search for Wells, including the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the United Cajun Navy. The search stretched across the Gulf Coast after Wells, a wide receiver for the SMCC Bears at Southwest Mississippi Community College, failed to return from the trip.
J. Steven Bishop said, “The entire Southwest family is heartbroken as we mourn the tragic loss of Nolan Wells.” He also said, “Nolan was an exemplary student, athlete, friend, and teammate.” Bishop added, “We remember Nolan as a well-respected young man who was very popular among friends, faculty, and staff.”
A family friend launched a GoFundMe campaign for the family, and the GoFundMe had raised over $14,000 as of Monday at 6:30 p.m. Wells had been set to return to Southwest Mississippi Community College to practice for the football season, and he would have turned 19 next month.
