(Photo courtesy: Facebook/Kristin Wonsley)
The body of footballer Nolan Xavier Wells, 18, who went missing during Fourth of July celebrations, has been found in the waters off Horn Island. A Mississippi State football player mysteriously disappeared after going on a boat trip with friends on Saturday.
The man was last seen around 3 p.m., reportedly “talking to a girl” on the north end of Horn Island, the United Navy and Jackson County Sheriff’s Department said. This is a popular barrier island about 10 miles off the coast of the Mississippi Gulf.Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter told The Washington Post that the body was found around 8:45 a.m. Monday and “matched the description” of Wells. “The body was found in the water, just offshore, off the western tip of Horn Island,” the sheriff said.Navy Cajon Incident Commander Josh Gill said Sunday that the football player was talking to a girl before he disappeared. “He was last talking to a girl in that North End; “He went out to Horn Island with some friends yesterday on a boat, and hasn’t been heard from for almost 24 hours,” Gill said in the video.“So guys, if you’re out fishing, surfing, or doing whatever you’re doing, keep your eyes on Nolan.
He added: “Guys, please, please keep your eyes open… Let’s find this little boy. His mother is worried and sick.”The teenager was wearing a blue swimsuit, with sunglasses and no shirt, before he disappeared. He is described as an 18-year-old black male, approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighing 180 pounds.Search teams from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Department of Marine Resources, Gulf Islands National Seashore and the U.S. Marine Corps
The Coast Guard combed the island and surrounding waters, operating from a command post at the Lake Mars Boat Launch in Ocean Springs. The United Cajun Navy, a volunteer rescue organization, also joined the effort, conducting aerial searches alongside boat crews.On Monday, June 6, the United Navy suspended search operations. “The search for 18-year-old Nolan Wells has been called off after a body was found Monday morning on the northwestern tip of Horn Island,” they said in a statement.
It is unclear whether the teenager has returned to the mainland. The cause of death is still unknown.The Wells family is heartbroken. “His father, Elmore Wensley, and I are not doing well. We have a lot of questions,” said his mother, Christine Wensley. ” rel=”noopener nofollow noreferrer” styleobj=”[object Object]”target group common case=”[object Object]” frmappuse=”1″>Facebook post on Monday.Our hearts break; We keep waiting for Nolan to walk through that door with his beautiful smile and his jokes of course. We are just praying that our son is alive and safe. “Again, we are looking for any images or video footage around 4.30pm or later,” she added.The family has requested privacy as they grieve the death of Nolan Xavier Wells. Nolan had a special soul; God took his time creating our son. “I ask that you all please give me and my family privacy as we grieve,” the mother said.Anyone with information is urged to call the Jackson County Police Department at 228-769-3063.
