A tragic new timeline has emerged surrounding the disappearance and death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, shedding light on the desperate moments leading up to the heartbreaking discovery of his body. With GPS tracking data and a distress call from his friends, the details of that fateful Fourth of July weekend on Horn Island, Mississippi, are becoming clearer.
Wells was with friends celebrating the holiday when their boat encountered trouble. As they prepared to leave the island without him, the vessel’s bilge pump failed, prompting a frantic call for help. “Hey, we’re at the west tip of Horn, and our bilge pump stopped working.
We’re sinking. Can you all please come?” the operator pleaded in audio obtained by NBC News.
Despite the urgency of the situation, CBS News previously reported that Wells was not aboard the boat when it departed the island. The last confirmed sighting of him was around 3 PM, according to his family’s attorney, Ben Crump. The boat left Horn Island at 4:31 PM, more than an hour after Wells was last seen.
Tracking data reveals that the boat had initially set out from the mainland dock at approximately 9:56 AM, reaching Horn Island by 11:14 AM. After the distress call, the vessel was towed for about three miles before resuming normal speed less than an hour later. It returned to its original departure point at 5:44 PM and later made its way into Fort Bayou, reaching the boat launch there by 7:19 PM.
Wells’ mother reported him missing on the night of July 4 when he did not return from the island. This prompted a large-scale search involving the US Coast Guard and other agencies. Tragically, two days later, his body was found just offshore from Horn Island.
The Jackson County coroner confirmed the identity through dental records.
An autopsy was conducted on July 7, but the results have not yet been made public. Wells’ family has since arranged for an independent autopsy in Washington, DC, as they seek clarity on the circumstances surrounding their son’s death.
His father, Elmore Wonsley, expressed disbelief that Nolan would have chosen to stay behind. “No, he wouldn’t. Nolan always stays with the group,” he told CBS Mornings, emphasizing his son’s character and the bond he shared with his friends.
“If you be with me, you come back with me.”
Wells was a student at Ocean Springs High School and was gearing up for his sophomore season on the football team at Southwest Mississippi Community College. Known as a strong swimmer, the circumstances of his disappearance and the events that unfolded remain a source of deep concern for his family and friends.
As the investigation continues, many are left wondering what truly happened during those critical hours on the island.
