The movements of a boat that transported Nolan Wells to Horn Island on July 4 have been traced using GPS data, shared by CBS News and obtained from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Wells went missing and was later found dead following the island excursion.
The boat embarked from a dock at approximately 9:56 a.m., reaching Horn Island by 11:14 a.m. It was reported that Wells did not return on the boat when it left the island. According to the GPS records, the vessel departed Horn Island at 4:31 p.m. and went back to its original dock. Subsequently, it proceeded to Fort Bayou at 5:52 p.m. before returning to the dock at 6:06 p.m.
That evening, at 7:19 p.m., the boat headed towards the Fort Bayou boat launch, as per the MSDMR report. From this location, it traveled over land—likely while being towed—to the Biloxi residence of the boat’s owners.
The MSDMR report specifies that the boat’s owner, his mother, and another person present with Wells on the incident day have been cooperating with the investigation.
The report concludes on July 5 following the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office assuming leadership of the investigation. An undated photo provided by the family shows Nolan Wells with his mother, Christine Wonsley.
Nolan Wells, aged 18, was last seen on July 4 during a boat trip to celebrate the holiday on Horn Island with his friends, as stated by officials. He traveled to the island, but did not return with his friends to the mainland that afternoon, noted Sheriff John Ledbetter. The last sighting of Wells was at 3 p.m., indicated by attorney Ben Crump’s office, after which his mother reported him missing, instigating a search.
Wells’ body was located on July 6 off the island’s coast, roughly 10 miles south of the Mississippi mainland. The search involved the U.S. Coast Guard, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, and National Park Service. Dental records confirmed the identity of the body, as stated by Jackson County coroner Bruce Lynd. An autopsy took place on July 7, but results were initially undisclosed. The body was later sent to Washington, D.C., for an independent autopsy, according to Crump.
Wells’ parents have expressed disbelief over the idea that their son chose to remain on the island when his friends left. Speaking to “CBS Mornings,” Christine and Elmore Wonsley reflected on their son’s character. “Nolan always stays with the group,” said Elmore Wonsley. “If you be with me, you come back with me.” When queried about Wells being left behind, Elmore Wonsley asserted, “Yes. I don’t believe he decided to stay on the island by himself.”
Wells was an Ocean Springs High School student and a sophomore on Southwest Mississippi Community College’s football team. Crump noted Wells was a capable swimmer. Mark Osborne provided additional reporting.