The mother of Nolan Wells, the Mississippi teenager who died after disappearing on a Fourth of July boat trip to Horn Island, has shared a heartbreaking message as her family prepares to bury him.
Nolan Wells, 18, disappeared during a trip to Horn Island off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast on July 4 after his group of friends returned to the mainland without him.
His body was found in the water near the island’s northwest end two days later. An official cause of death has not yet been determined.
“Planning the funeral of our 18-year-old does not feel real,” Christine Wonsley wrote on Facebook on Monday night according to People.
“All the emotions are running together. I thank God for the moments of being able to watch videos and hear his laugh again. We miss you so much Nolan.”
Jackson County Sheriff urges patience
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter told Good Morning America on Tuesday that investigators are continuing to piece together what happened and are asking anyone who was on Horn Island that day to come forward, even with information they think might be insignificant.
“I think it’s important we don’t put ourselves on a timetable, that we don’t rush ourselves,” Ledbetter said.
“But I do think it’s important to be diligent in gathering all the facts. That’s what the family deserves.”
Investigators are awaiting toxicology results from the state medical examiner. The family has launched their own independent investigation and commissioned a separate autopsy.
Phone locations and stories of friends don’t add up, parents say
Wells’ parents appeared on Good Morning America last week and said the information they have been given does not add up. In particular the reason why their son would have stayed on the island after his friends left doesn’t make sense to them.
“We always taught him that if you go with a group, you stay with a group,” his father Elmore Wonsley said.
“If you go with five, you come back with five. So why would he split from the group? I don’t know.”
Christine also told the show that her son’s phone location history appeared inconsistent with what his friends had reported. Investigators have since requested the device as part of the ongoing investigation.
The sheriff said his office welcomes the family’s independent efforts.
“We’re working toward the same goal as the family,” he said.
“We want a thorough investigation.”
READ MORE:
- Sheriff has one warning as Nolan Wells’ final moments remain a mystery
- Mom of friend who was with Nolan Wells explains why teen was left alone on island before he was found dead
