OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. — On Monday, the family and friends of Mississippi teen Nolan Wells gathered at Center Pointe Church to pay their final respects during a somber and emotionally charged funeral service. The community came together in a show of solidarity, with many attendees wearing sky blue—the color of the high school football team the 18-year-old once played for—at the request of his mother, Christine Wonsley.
“Nolan had such a gentle, calming spirit about him. He had a way of making people feel seen, welcome, and valued,” Wonsley shared during the service, wearing a commemorative pin featuring her son’s image. “I ask that each of you keep Nolan’s memory alive. Hold him close in your hearts, share his stories, and never stop saying his name.”
The service was marked by the presence of high-profile figures, including civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Al Sharpton, who officiated the ceremony. The gathering took place just over two weeks after Wells was found dead on the shore of Horn Island on July 6, following a July 4 boat trip with friends. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance and subsequent death have drawn national attention, with the Jackson County Sheriff’s department and the FBI currently leading an investigation.
People line up for a viewing during a memorial service for Nolan Xavier Wells in Ocean Springs, Miss.
During his eulogy, Al Sharpton emphasized the family’s ongoing quest for truth. “We want to celebrate Nolan and at the same time say we want a full and thorough investigation,” Sharpton stated. “For an 18-year-old young man to no longer be with us, we want answers. For the family, the closure will come when there is justice.”
In a significant development during the service, Al Sharpton announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction in the case. This amount was immediately doubled to $100,000 after filmmaker Tyler Perry reached out to match the contribution. The family’s legal team, led by Ben Crump, continues to advocate for transparency, with Ben Crump leading the mourners in a powerful chant of “Justice for Nolan Wells.”
As the investigation continues, the Wonsley family remains steadfast in their commitment to uncovering the truth. While the official autopsy reports from state authorities have yet to be released, the family has sought independent investigations to ensure no stone is left unturned. For now, the community of Ocean Springs continues to hold the family close, honoring a young life cut tragically short.