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Family of Nolan Wells Seeks Answers After Missing Mississippi Teen Found Dead

Published July 9, 2026 at 8:14 AM UTC

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The family of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells is demanding answers following his tragic death after a July 4 boat trip to Horn Island, Mississippi. Wells, a student-athlete at Southwest Mississippi Community College, was last seen with friends on the island but did not return with them that afternoon. His mother, Christine Wonsley, reported him missing that night, and his body was discovered the following morning. An autopsy was scheduled to determine the cause of death. The family has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump to investigate the circumstances surrounding Wells' death, emphasizing the need for transparency and urgency in the investigation. Wells' mother expressed her grief on social media, urging the public to share any information that could clarify what happened. The Jackson County Sheriff's Department is actively investigating the case, with Sheriff John Ledbetter stating that Wells' friends are cooperating and that there is no information suggesting foul play at this time.