The search for a Mississippi teen who went missing over the holiday weekend has been called off after a body matching his description was recovered Monday morning, officials said.
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter confirmed that a body was discovered in the water at about 8:45 a.m. local time Monday, just off shore on the northwest end of Horn Island, according to a report from the New York Post.
While official identification is still pending, Ledbetter told the outlet the recovery « does match the description » of Nolan Xavier Wells, 18.
The grassroots volunteer group United Cajun Navy announced Monday afternoon that search efforts had ceased.
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« On behalf of the United Cajun Navy, we extend our deepest condolences to Nolan’s family, friends, teammates, and everyone whose lives were touched by him, » the organization wrote in a statement on Facebook. « We are grateful that Nolan’s family entrusted us to assist in this search. »
« … Our teams were proud to provide aerial search operations, boats, and boots on the ground in support of the effort, » the organization continued. « Please continue to keep Nolan’s loved ones in your prayers as they grieve this devastating loss. Rest easy, Nolan. You will not be forgotten. »
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Wells was last seen on the Fourth of July near Horn Island, according to authorities. A photo shared with police showed the teen smiling with friends on a boat that afternoon.
Search teams from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Department of Marine Resources, Gulf Islands National Seashore and U.S. Coast Guard combed the island and surrounding waters, establishing a centralized command post at the Lake Mars Boat Launch in Ocean Springs to coordinate the multi-agency effort.
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Following the discovery of the body, Wells’ mother shared an emotional message on Facebook.
« His father, our family, friends and I are absolutely devastated, » Christine Wonsley wrote. « My heart [is] broken 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. I ask that you please give me and my family time to grieve. »
Wonsley and her husband previously posted updates pleading for any photos or videos from the Fourth of July to help track Wells’ last known movements.
« We have so many questions, » she wrote prior to the recovery of the body. « Our hearts are breaking, we keep waiting for Nolan to walk through that door with his beautiful smile and a joke of course. »
Amid their grief, the family is also warning the community about online scammers attempting to capitalize on the tragedy.
« I want you all to know a GoFund Me HAS NOT been created by myself, husband, family or friends, » Wonsley wrote in a separate post. « So if you see any please report that is not authentic. We will notify everyone if we choose to create one. »
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
Source link : https://www.foxnews.com/us/search-called-off-after-body-matching-missing-teen-nolan-wells-found-off-mississippi-coast
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Publish date : 2026-07-06 22:39:00
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