Nolan Wells’ Parent Say Goodbye to Son in Heartbreaking Funeral

Alliyah Wright, CapitalB

As family and friends mourn the 18-year-old, supporters continue to push for answers in how he died while on a boat trip with friends.

Hundreds gathered Monday in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, for the funeral service for Nolan Wells, the college student whose death earlier this month while on a boat trip with friends has sparked demands for answers. 

His parents opened the service reflecting on their son — who would’ve turned 19 next month — and how much he meant to them.

“I want to give all thanks and honor and glory to God for choosing Elmore and me to be Nolan’s parents,” Christine Wonsley said at their son’s funeral at Center Pointe Church. “We thank you, Lord, for the beautiful 18 years that you blessed us with him.”

“He had a way of making people feel seen, welcomed and valued,” she said. “He could lift your confidence with just a few words and make you feel like you belong.”

Between somber words, a eulogy and speeches from the Rev. Al Sharpton and family attorney Ben Crump, one thing there’s an agreement on is the tragedy of Wells’ death. 

The lack of answers two weeks after his body was found on Horn Island, a remote area on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where he went on a boat trip with a group of white friends, was noted in Sharpton’s and Crump’s speeches. Sharpton pledged $50,000 from his National Action Network for leads on what happened to Wells. 

“There’s too many unanswered questions,” Sharpton said. “We can’t have someone in law enforcement saying there was no foul play before there was an investigation.”

Crump called for justice, repeating, “Nolan’s life mattered!” as the crowd stood in agreement several times.

Wonsley talks about the harassment she’s received amid her grief.

Wells’ family aren’t the only ones demanding answers about the young man’s death.

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