Days after the discovery of 18-year-old Nolan Wells’ body on Horn Island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast, law enforcement is requesting help from members of the public as investigators seek information on what happened leading up to his July 4 disappearance and death.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department put out a public statement on July 8 requesting members of the public to reach out if they have any of the following information:
- Any interactions with, sightings of, or statements regarding Nolan Wells.
- Original, unedited photos and videos taken on the northwest tip of Horn Island on July 4, 2026, particularly those depicting alleged altercations or containing images of, or believed to include Nolan Wells. Original media often contains critical details that may be essential to the ongoing investigation.
- (Testimony from those who) observed or heard an argument, disturbance, or other unusual activity while on the island that day.
Wells disappeared on the Fourth of July, during a boat trip with a group of friends to the sandy barrier island south of Pascagoula, Mississippi. His mother, Christine Wonsley, reported him missing that night, and a park ranger found his body on Monday, July 7.
Coroner Counters Misinformation
After the discovery of Nolan Wells’ body, an explosion of misinformation, unsubstantiated rumors and speculation spread across social media, forcing both law enforcement and his own family to speak out to counter the false information. That has included Christine Wonsley debunking an AI video using her likeness to spread misinformation.
“We recognize that a significant amount of information, speculation, and commentary has been shared on social media and throughout the community. As with any active investigation, our investigators are working to establish the facts through eyewitness accounts, physical evidence, and other reliable information,” the sheriff’s statement read.
Nolan Wells poses for a graduation photo with his father, Elmore Wonsley, and his mother, Christine Wonsley, in 2025. Photo courtesy Gofundme
Bruce Lynd Jr., the coroner of Jackson County, personally traveled to Horn Island to provide the first examination of Wells’ body. In a July 8 interview with the Mississippi Free Press, Lynd definitively stated that no autopsy results were available, countering any speculation that the State of Mississippi has determined a cause of death for Wells as of now.
“The state medical examiner was able to positively ID him on July 7th through dental records that we were able to provide them,” Lynd said. “ The autopsy was conducted (on July 7). However, the state medical examiner, who is responsible for determining the cause and manner of death in autopsy cases, has not given us her final report as of yet.”
The coroner stressed that the full release of the cause of death would be contingent on a toxicology screening to determine what, if any, substances were in Wells’ system before his death. “I’m sure she’s still waiting on the toxicology report to come back … we were hoping to have that, I’m assuming one day next week.”
Lynd observed Wells’ body on the beach where he was discovered. “It was on the northwestern end of Horn Island,” he said, telling this reporter that Wells’ exposure to the elements meant he would have to be examined further at the state medical examiner’s office.
The coroner did firmly quash one of the many rumors he’d seen spreading across social media. “ I’ve stuff out there where people are saying that it’s been reported he was found wrapped up. It’s crazy. There’s no truth to that at all,” Lynd said.
Rev. Al Sharpton, the president of The National Action Network, said in a statement on July 9, 2026, that Nolan Wells’ “family deserves the truth.” He is seen here speaking at the funeral of Dexter Wade in Jackson, Miss., on Nov. 20, 2023. MFP Photo by Shaunicy Muhammad
Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney who is representing Wells’ family, says an independent autopsy will also be conducted on the body on Friday. On the same day, Crump will host a press conference in Harlem, New York City, with Rev. Al Sharpton, president of The National Action Network.
“A young man left his home to celebrate the Fourth of July with friends, and he never came back. His mother deserves answers, and his family deserves the truth,” said Sharpton. “We are not here to jump ahead of the facts. We are here to demand that the facts come to light, fully, honestly, and without delay. That means a complete and transparent investigation. That means releasing every record. Nolan Xavier Wells was eighteen years old with his whole life in front of him, and this family will not be left in the dark. We stand with them, and we will not stop until every question is answered.”
Crump has represented the families of other Mississippians in high-profile cases in recent years, including the families of Kohen Wiley, Trey Reed, Dexter Wade and more.
Mother of Wells’ Friend Speaks Out
Family members close to both Nolan Wells and the friends he originally departed to Horn Island with have spoken out on social media following a deluge of rumors and assertions about Wells’ death. Ashlee Cole, the mother of one of Wells’ friends and a Jackson County Chancery Court judge, released a statement on social media explaining the timeline as presented to her.
“Warren was interviewed by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and cooperated fully,” she said, referring to her son. “He saw Nolan last at around 3 pm on July 4th. They left around 4:30 pm when the boat was taking on water and they had an issue with the bilge pump. Nolan made a decision to stay on the island and return inland later with another group of friends.”
Nolan Xavier Wells, second from right, disappeared while on a trip with friends to Horn Island, just south of Jackson County off of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Photo courtesy Christine Wonsley / Facebook
Christopher Wells Sr., Nolan’s grandfather, made a social media post calling for an end to the rampant speculation that has plagued social media in the days following his grandson’s death.
“My daughter Christine, and her husband Elmore prayed for a positive outcome,” Wells Sr. wrote, “but they also had to prepare themselves for the worst. Now that my grandson has been found it’s time for answers, but be mindful they need space and need to grieve. There has been enough finger pointing, let law enforcement do their job.”
Jackson County NAACP President Curley Clark also urged the public to guard against spreading misinformation, WLOX reported on Wednesday.
“The NAACP is going to ensure that the tragedy will be fully investigated. But we do not want anyone to jump to conclusions before the facts are known,” Clark said. “It’s sad, but I have to admit that race is a part of the equation. And the NAACP has to play a part in it to ensure that everything is done in accordance with the law and that there’s no racial discrimination involved. We don’t want to jump to conclusions because it’s going to be very hurtful to the family if the wrong conclusions don’t pan out. We’re going to make sure we’re being very deliberate in the findings and ensure the facts come out and justice is served.”
A GoFundMe supporting Wells’ family continues to grow, reaching $320,000 by Thursday afternoon. Wells’ mother has stated on social media that this GoFundMe is the only legitimate fundraising campaign in support of the family, while warning of scams and fake campaigns in Nolan Wells’ name.
Follow the Mississippi Free Press’ coverage of Nolan Wells’ death and read past stories here.
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