The family of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old whose life was cut tragically short, has faced anonymous hostility during their period of mourning. Wells was a wide receiver for Southwest Mississippi Community College and disappeared while on a Fourth of July trip to Horn Island, Mississippi.
According to Wells’ friends, he stayed behind on the island when they left. However, his personal items were later found on their boat. Wells’ body was discovered on July 6, near the island’s northwestern tip.
Christine Wonsley, Wells’ mother, shared an image of a hate letter on Facebook, postmarked from Denver. The sender defaced a photo from a news conference, targeting Reverend Al Sharpton and attorney Ben Crump with arrows and dollar signs.
Wonsley expressed her frustration, stating, “Whoever sent this to my home, may the good Lord have mercy on your soul. Bold enough to send this but not bold enough to list your return address.”
Funeral Services Planned
Wells’ funeral will be held at Center Pointe Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. It is scheduled for Monday morning, with a visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. Al Sharpton will deliver the eulogy, while Ben Crump will issue a “Call to Justice.” This gathering aims to honor and remember Wells.
The family’s GoFundMe campaign has reached over $735,000. BuzzFeed CEO Byron Allen contributed $100,000.
Ongoing Investigation
The FBI is aiding the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office with aspects of the investigation and examining interstate threats linked to the case.
Initially, investigators didn’t suspect foul play in Wells’ death. The autopsy results are pending, awaiting toxicology reports. Ben Crump’s legal team has challenged the narrative, citing inconsistencies in witness accounts.
Video evidence acquired by Crump shows a confrontation before Wells disappeared. He argued that Wells was not seen in the footage, as claimed by Shepherd, who said he appeared in the recording during a separate incident.
Concerns About Witness Accounts
Crump noted the presence of approximately 200 people, predominantly white, at the island and urged skepticism regarding law enforcement’s role.
The Know Your Rights Camp, led by Colin Kaepernick, will fund an independent autopsy. Tyler Perry covered the family’s funeral expenses.
Jackson County officials confirmed that findings from the investigation will be reviewed by a grand jury to determine the potential for criminal charges.
Audio from the day Wells disappeared captured a distress call from his friends’ boat operator concerning a bilge pump failure. This call occurred an hour after Wells was allegedly last seen, adding complexity to the timeline of events.