Investigation into Nolan Wells’ Death on Horn Island

According to GPS data from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, obtained by CBS News, the itinerary of the boat that transported Nolan Wells to Horn Island on July 4 has been mapped. Wells, who went missing after an outing, was discovered dead. The boat departed from a dock around 9:56 a.m. and reached Horn Island by 11:14 a.m.

Prior reports from CBS News confirmed that Wells was not aboard when the boat left Horn Island. The GPS data reveals the boat departed the island at 4:31 p.m. and returned to its initial dock. It navigated Fort Bayou around 5:52 p.m. and returned to its dock at 6:06 p.m.

Later that evening, reports stated that the boat traveled to the Fort Bayou boat launch at 7:19 p.m. It seemed to have been towed over land to the owners’ residence in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The investigation included the boat’s owner, his mother, and another individual present with Wells on that day. On July 5, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office took over as the lead agency in the investigation.

This undated photo, released in July 2026, shows Nolan Xavier Wells with his mother, Christine Wonsley. Family photo via AP.

Wells, aged 18, was last seen on July 4 on Horn Island. He had traveled there with friends for a holiday celebration. Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter reported Wells did not accompany his friends back to the mainland that afternoon. He was last seen at 3 p.m., according to attorney Ben Crump’s office. His mother reported him missing that night, initiating a search.

His body was found on July 6 near the island, located roughly 10 miles from the Mississippi mainland. The search involved the U.S. Coast Guard, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, and National Park Service. Dental records confirmed his identity, per Jackson County coroner Bruce Lynd.

An autopsy was conducted on July 7, although results weren’t immediately disclosed. A separate autopsy took place in Washington, D.C., as requested by Crump.

Wells’ parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley, voiced skepticism over the suggestion that their son stayed on the island willingly. They expressed their concerns on CBS Mornings on July 10, 2026. Elmore Wonsley stated, “Nolan always stays with the group,” highlighting that his son wouldn’t separate from his friends by choice. When questioned, his father stated, “Yes. I don’t believe he decided to stay on the island by himself. It just doesn’t—that’s not his character.”

Wells attended Ocean Springs High School and was a sophomore on Southwest Mississippi Community College’s football team. Crump highlighted that Wells was a proficient swimmer.

Mark Osborne also contributed to this report.