{"id":6592,"date":"2026-07-07T13:01:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T13:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=6592"},"modified":"2026-07-07T13:01:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T13:01:23","slug":"search-called-off-after-body-matching-missing-teen-nolan-wells-found-off-mississippi-coast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=6592","title":{"rendered":"Search called off after body matching missing teen Nolan Wells found off Mississippi coast"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/figure>\n article<\/span><\/div>

Nolan Xavier Wells disappeared on the Fourth of July while boating with friends, according to authorities. (Credit: Jackson County Sheriff’s Department via Facebook)<\/span> <\/p>

Read more Houston weather: Hot, humid Friday heading into Fourth of July<\/a><\/p> <\/div><\/div> <\/div>

The search for a Mississippi teen<\/u> who went missing over the holiday weekend has been called off after a body matching his description was recovered Monday morning, officials said.<\/p>

Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter confirmed that a body was discovered in the water at about 8:45 a.m. local time Monday, just off shore on the northwest end of Horn Island, according to a report<\/u> from the New York Post.<\/p>

While official identification is still pending, Ledbetter told the outlet the recovery “does match the description” of Nolan Xavier Wells, 18.<\/p>

The grassroots volunteer group United Cajun Navy<\/u> announced Monday afternoon that search efforts had ceased.<\/p>

<\/div>

US MARINE MISSING OFF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST AFTER TRAINING EXERCISE; SEARCH SHIFTS TO RECOVERY<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

“On behalf of the United Cajun Navy, we extend our deepest condolences to Nolan\u2019s family, friends, teammates, and everyone whose lives were touched by him,” the organization wrote in a statement on Facebook. “We are grateful that Nolan\u2019s family entrusted us to assist in this search.”<\/p>

“… Our teams were proud to provide aerial search operations, boats, and boots on the ground in support of the effort,” the organization continued. “Please continue to keep Nolan\u2019s loved ones in your prayers as they grieve this devastating loss. Rest easy, Nolan. You will not be forgotten.”<\/p>

NAVY SUSPENDS SEARCH FOR SAILOR WHO WENT MISSING WHEN HELICOPTER WENT DOWN IN ARABIAN SEA<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

Wells was last seen on the Fourth of July near Horn Island, according to authorities. A photo shared with police showed the teen smiling with friends on a boat that afternoon.<\/p>

Read more 7-Eleven sues Nike over new Air Max 95s set for July 11 release<\/a><\/p>

Search teams from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Department of Marine Resources, Gulf Islands National Seashore and U.S. Coast Guard combed the island and surrounding waters, establishing a centralized command post at the Lake Mars Boat Launch in Ocean Springs to coordinate the multi-agency effort<\/u>.<\/p>

THREE DEAD, 7 RESCUED IN BOATING TRAGEDY AS SEVERE HOLIDAY WEEKEND STORM RAVAGES WISCONSIN TOURIST HOT SPOT<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

Following the discovery of the body, Wells\u2019 mother shared an emotional message on Facebook.<\/p>

“His father, our family, friends and I are absolutely devastated,” Christine Wonsley wrote. “My heart [is] broken for my sweet son who was always willing to cheer and uplift others. Nolan was a special soul, God took his time creating our son. I ask that you please give me and my family time to grieve.”<\/p>

Wonsley and her husband previously posted updates pleading for any photos or videos from the Fourth of July to help track Wells\u2019 last known movements.<\/p>

“We have so many questions,” she wrote prior to the recovery of the body. “Our hearts are breaking, we keep waiting for Nolan to walk through that door with his beautiful smile and a joke of course.”<\/p>

Amid their grief, the family is also warning the community about online scammers<\/u> attempting to capitalize on the tragedy.<\/p>

“I want you all to know a GoFund Me HAS NOT been created by myself, husband, family or friends,” Wonsley wrote in a separate post. “So if you see any please report that is not authentic. We will notify everyone if we choose to create one.”<\/p>

The Jackson County Sheriff\u2019s Department did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital<\/u>.<\/p>

Read more These are the most stressed-out cities in America, data shows<\/a><\/p>

Find more updates on this story at FOXNews.com.<\/i><\/p> <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Nolan Wells, 18, was last seen on Fourth of July near Horn Island as the U.S. Coast Guard and United Cajun Navy searched.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6590,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6592","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime-and-public-safety","category-u-s"],"yoast_head":"\nSearch called off after body matching missing teen Nolan Wells found off Mississippi coast - Houston Moving Journal<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=6592\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Search called off after body matching missing teen Nolan Wells found off Mississippi coast - 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