Coverage dated July 7, 2026 to July 10, 2026

Judge, mom of friend explains why Nolan Wells was left on Horn Island before he turned up dead

Headline from New York Post

Tragic high school football star Nolan Wells was left behind by his friends on Horn Island after their boat experienced a problem with the bilge pump, according to a judge who is the mother of one of Wells’ pals.

New York Post's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Read the reports

Reports & sources

8 articles, oldest first.

  1. The Guardian

    Body of missing 18-year-old Nolan Wells found on Mississippi island (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    College freshman’s mother identified his body after he was reported missing following 4 July boat trip with friends On 4 July, Nolan Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and a group of friends went on a boat trip to Horn Island, a barrier island about 10 miles off the Missis…

  2. New York Post

    Police investigating video of Nolan Wells’ alleged argument on Horn Island before Mississippi teen went missing (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    The 18-year-old star football player vanished during a Fourth of July boat trip with friends Saturday and a body which authorities said matched his description was found Monday morning.

  3. Advocate

    Nolan Wells vanished on a Mississippi island. His case joins a troubling list of suspicious Black deaths (opens Advocate)

    Published

    Advocate's feed description

    A nationally covered search for a missing Mississippi Black teen ended in tragedy when authorities found the body of Nolan Wells near Horn Island. But amid broad speculation about how the college freshman ended up dead after a boating trip with white peers in the Deep South, activists are asking whe…

  4. New York Post

    Judge, mom of friend explains why Nolan Wells was left on Horn Island before he turned up dead (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    Tragic high school football star Nolan Wells was left behind by his friends on Horn Island after their boat experienced a problem with the bilge pump, according to a judge who is the mother of one of Wells’ pals.

  5. News Nation Now

    What is known about the death of Nolan Wells? (opens News Nation Now)

    Published

    News Nation Now's feed description

    Nolan Wells was last seen on a trip to Horn Island with friends July 4. He was found dead two days later.

  6. The Christian Post

    Parents of Nolan Wells ask for prayers, answers as police investigate Horn Island death (opens The Christian Post)

    Published

    The Christian Post's feed description

    Christine Wonsley, the mother of Nolan Wells, who was found dead near Horn Island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast Monday after traveling there by boat with a group of friends on July 4, is asking for answers and prayers as questions swirl around his death.

  7. The Christian Post

    5 pastors react to the death of Nolan Wells on Horn Island (opens The Christian Post)

    Published

    The Christian Post's feed description

    Just days after 18-year-old Nolan Wells was found dead near Horn Island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast on Monday after traveling there by boat with a group of friends on July 4, a flood of reactions have been emerging on social media as his family calls for a full and transparent investigation.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.