Chilling Detail: What happened during Nolan Wells’ last hours on a yacht before the young football star’s body was found on a remote island
HAUNTING pictures show a rising teen football star smiling with friends on a Fourth of July boat trip just hours before he vanished and was later found dead.
Nolan Xavier Wells, 18, had been celebrating the holiday weekend with pals before a desperate two-day search ended in tragedy.
Nolan Xavier Wells disappeared from Horn Island, Mississippi on Fourth of July weekendCredit: Family Handout
Nolan’s mother, Christine, said she and Nolan’s father Elmore are “devastated”Credit: Family Handout
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The student-athlete was last seen around 3pm on July 4 near the northwest tip of Horn Island, off the coast of Mississippi, his mom, Christine Wonsley, said.
Christine later shared photos of her son on a boat with friends as she pleaded for any pictures, videos or information from the hours before he disappeared.
It remained unclear during the search whether Nolan had made it back to shore.
His mom reported him missing early Sunday morning, sparking a massive search across the island and surrounding waters.
A park ranger found a body on the northwest end of Horn Island at around 8:45am on Monday, Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said.
Officials did not immediately identify the remains, but Ledbetter told WLOX, “There is no reason to believe it is not him.”
Christine later confirmed her son’s death in a heartbreaking Facebook post.
“I want to thank our family, friends, community, United Cajun Navy, local law enforcement, and everyone involved for all the love, support, resources over the last few days,” she wrote.
Nolan’s body was found in the water on the northwest end of Horn Island
Cops confirmed that a body was found on the northwest end of the island on MondayCredit: WLOX
“His father, our family, friends and I are absolutely devastated.
“My heartbroken for my sweet son who was always willing to cheer and uplift others.
“Nolan was a special soul, God took his time creating our son.
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“I ask that you please give me and my family time to grieve.”
The Jackson County coroner is working to officially identify Nolan through DNA testing.
His cause and manner of death have not been released.
Authorities have also not said whether foul play is suspected.
During the frantic search, Christine posted multiple updates as she begged the public for help in finding her son, also known as Nono.
She said Nolan’s phone had been separated from him and was later returned to the family in Mississippi.
Cajun Navy Incident Commander Josh Gill told Nola.com that Nolan was apparently last seen “hanging out with a girl.”
Nolan is a rising football star who disappeared on Horn Island in MississippiCredit: TikTok/christinefnp
Multiple agencies had been involved in the effort to find the teenCredit: WLOX
In one emotional update before her son was found, Christine said she and Nolan’s father, Elmore Wonsley, were desperate for answers.
“His father, Elmore Wonsley and I are not ok,” she wrote.
“We have so many questions. Our hearts are breaking, we keep waiting for Nolan to walk through that door with his beautiful smile and a joke of course.
“We just pray our son is alive & safe.”
Christine also asked anyone who had been near Horn Island after 4:30pm on Saturday to send any photos or video footage to the family or authorities.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the Department of Marine Resources, Gulf Islands National Seashore, the US Coast Guard and the United Cajun Navy all joined the search.
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Gautier Mayor Casey Vaughan also urged anyone who had been in the area to come forward.
“If you were on Horn Island on July 4, traveled by boat in the area, or believe you may have seen Nolan or even given him a ride from the island, please contact authorities immediately,” Vaughan said during the search.
The United Cajun Navy later said it was heartbroken by the outcome.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Nolan’s family, friends, teammates, and everyone whose lives were touched by him,” the group said.
“We are grateful that Nolan’s family entrusted us to assist in this search.
“It was an honor to stand alongside… all of the agencies and volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout this mission.”
Nolan was a promising football player at Southwest Mississippi Community College.
He had previously played for Ocean Springs High School, where coaches remembered him as far more than a talented athlete.
“We are devastated by Nolan’s passing,” Ocean Springs head football coach Jake Bramlett told WLOX.
“He was the kind of son, teammate, friend and student that every coach hopes to have in a program.
“Nolan was so much more than an outstanding football player.
“He carried himself with humility, treated others with respect, worked hard and led by example.”
Southwest Mississippi Community College President Dr. J. Steven Bishop said the school was mourning a beloved member of its community.
“The entire Southwest family is heartbroken as we mourn the tragic loss of Nolan Wells,” Bishop told WLOX.
“We remember Nolan as a well-respected young man who was very popular among friends, faculty, and staff.
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“We loved Nolan, and he will be greatly missed in many ways.”
