OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) — The body of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells was found in the water just off the northwestern tip of Horn Island Monday morning, according to Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter.
Tuesday, Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd confirmed to WLOX News that the body found was Wells, according to dental records.
The cause and manner of death haven’t been released. Investigators told ABC News they suspect that Wells drowned, but they are continuing the investigation.
An autopsy was performed Tuesday by the state medical examiner, but officials say it could take “a couple weeks” to receive results, which will include a toxicology report.
Here’s what we know about the timeline of events leading up to Wells’ discovery and what happened afterward.
Saturday, July 4
Wells traveled to Horn Island with a group of friends to celebrate Independence Day. The boat left from a private dock in the Ocean Springs area, according to Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter.
Wells was last seen near the island around 3 p.m., according to Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO).
Wells did not return on the same boat as the group.
“From what we understand, he chose to stay there,” Sheriff Ledbetter told Good Morning America.
Wells’ mother contacted JCSO Saturday evening around midnight to report that her son had not come home.
Sunday, July 5
At 12:26 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Mobile said it received a request for assistance from JCSO in search of a missing person in the vicinity of Horn Island. The Coast Guard said an urgent marine information broadcast was issued, and a helicopter was sent to search the area.
At 12:31 p.m., JCSO issued a press release saying it was searching for Nolan Xavier Wells, described as an 18-year-old Black male, approximately 6′1″ and weighing 180 pounds. He was last seen on Horn Island on Saturday, July 4, wearing blue swim trunks, no shirt and sunglasses.
READ: SEEN HIM? Authorities seeking information about Ocean Springs teen last seen on Horn Island
At 5:54 p.m., JCSO established a command post at the Lake Mars Boat Launch.
Sheriff John Ledbetter said multiple agencies joined the search for Wells, including the Gulf Islands National Seashore, U.S. National Park Service, U.S. Coast Guard, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
Other agencies joined in, including the Biloxi Fire Department, which had a boat out, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Fire Service, and the United Cajun Navy.
Monday, July 6
United Cajun Navy aircraft took to the air just before 6 a.m. Monday.
Search boats were deployed again, with the last vessels leaving just before 8 a.m.
Around 8:45 a.m., Sheriff Ledbetter confirmed authorities received a call reporting a body found at the northwestern tip of Horn Island. The body was discovered by a U.S. Park Service ranger.
Wells’ family was asked to come to the Lake Mars Boat Launch, where they were met by Sheriff Ledbetter and Coroner Bruce Lynd.
Just after 11 a.m., the family was taken to the coroner’s office in Pascagoula to identify the body.
While talking with WLOX News on the phone, Coroner Bruce Lynd said that he “had no reason to believe it wasn’t him,” but said he would wait for official DNA results before making a formal announcement. He said an autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7 at the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office Coast Lab.
Just before 1 p.m., Wells’ family confirmed his death on social media. His mother posted on Facebook confirming that Wells was the person found on Horn Island.
