A Mississippi judge whose son was with Nolan Xavier Wells before the 18-year-old was found dead off Horn Island is speaking out as the teen’s family continues to seek answers about what happened during a Fourth of July boat trip.
Wells, an 18-year-old student-athlete, went missing on July 4 after traveling with friends to Horn Island, a barrier island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast. His body was later discovered near the island, ending a desperate search that involved law enforcement and volunteer groups.
Chancery Court Judge Ashlee Cole said her son, Warren, was among the friends who had been with Wells on the island that day. In a public statement, Cole said her son last saw Wells around 3 p.m. and later left the island around 4:30 p.m. because the boat he was on began taking on water and was having issues with its bilge pump.
According to Cole, Wells decided to remain on the island and planned to return later with another group of friends. She said her son cooperated fully with investigators and had been interviewed by the sheriff’s department.
Cole said she released the statement to address rumors spreading online and to redirect attention back to Wells’ grieving family. She also said she feared for the safety and privacy of her own children as speculation around the case intensified on social media.
Authorities are still working to piece together the final hours before Wells died. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has asked anyone who was on or near the northwest tip of Horn Island that day to share photos, videos, or any information that could help investigators. Officials are especially interested in material that may show Wells, possible altercations, or unusual activity on the island.
Sheriff John Ledbetter has said Wells’ friends returned without him, and investigators understand that Wells chose to stay behind. Authorities have said they believe drowning may be the cause of death and have not publicly announced evidence of foul play, but the investigation remains active.
Wells’ family has retained prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has called for a thorough and transparent investigation. The family wants clarity about what happened between the time Wells was last seen and the moment his body was found.
Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, has described the family as devastated by the loss. Loved ones remembered Nolan as a kind, uplifting young man with a bright future. He attended Southwest Mississippi Community College, where he played football as a wide receiver.
The case has drawn national attention because of the unanswered questions surrounding Wells’ disappearance, the social media speculation, and the family’s demand for transparency. Investigators continue to ask witnesses to come forward as they work to establish a full timeline of events from the Fourth of July trip.
For now, the community is mourning the loss of Nolan Wells while waiting for official findings from the ongoing investigation.
