According to GPS data obtained from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, the movements of the boat carrying Nolan Wells to Horn Island on July 4 have been mapped. Wells was found deceased after disappearing during a holiday outing on the island. The boat initially departed from a dock at 9:56 a.m. and reached Horn Island by 11:14 a.m.
Previous reports confirm that Wells was not on the vessel when it left the island. The GPS data shows the boat departed Horn Island at 4:31 p.m., returned to its original dock, then proceeded to Fort Bayou by 5:52 p.m., and finally returned to the dock by 6:06 p.m.
Later that evening, the boat traveled to the Fort Bayou boat launch at 7:19 p.m. It was then transported overland, likely towed by a vehicle, to the residence of the boat’s owners in Biloxi, Mississippi. The involved parties, including the boat’s owner, his mother, and another person who accompanied Wells, have cooperated with the ongoing investigation.
The report from the marine department concluded on July 5, as the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office assumed leadership of the investigation.
An undated family photo from July 2026 depicts Nolan Xavier Wells with his mother, Christine Wonsley. Wells, 18, was last observed on July 4 at Horn Island, where he had gone with friends for a holiday celebration. While Wells arrived at the island with his friends, he did not return with them, as noted by Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter. He was last spotted on the island at 3 p.m., according to attorney Ben Crump’s office, prompting his mother to report him missing that night.
Wells’ body was located on July 6 near the island, approximately 10 miles south of Mississippi’s mainland. The search effort involved the U.S. Coast Guard, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, and the National Park Service. Dental records confirmed the identity of the body as Wells, according to Jackson County coroner Bruce Lynd.
An autopsy was conducted on July 7, though its results were not initially released. The body was sent to Washington, D.C., for an independent autopsy, as mentioned by Crump. Wells’ family, while speaking to CBS News, expressed doubt that their son would have remained on the island voluntarily as his friends departed. Christine and Elmore Wonsley, his parents, spoke on “CBS Mornings” on July 10, 2026.
Elmore Wonsley stated, “No, he wouldn’t. Nolan always stays with the group. If you be with me, you come back with me.” When questioned if he believed Nolan was left behind, his father confirmed, “Yes.” He added, “I don’t believe he decided to stay on the island by himself. It just doesn’t fit his character.”
Nolan Wells attended Ocean Springs High School. He was poised to become a sophomore on the Southwest Mississippi Community College football team. Crump noted that Wells was a competent swimmer.