A close friend of Nolan Wells is pushing back against claims that a viral image shows the teenager at a pool party after he disappeared, as Wells’ mother opened up about the anguish of arranging her son’s funeral.
Wells, 18, went missing on the afternoon of July 4 during a boating outing with friends to Horn Island, off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. His body was discovered on the island two days later.
Authorities have said that, at this stage, nothing “yet” suggests foul play, but the college football player’s family has launched its own investigation, citing concerns that the details surrounding his death “don’t add up.”
Over the weekend, an online theory gained traction alleging that Wells appeared in a pool party photo said to have been taken on the night of July 4 — implying he may have returned to shore alive before later being found dead.
But Wells’ close friend Tracestin Shepherd dismissed the speculation, saying the photo was actually taken the prior Saturday, June 27.
“Our friend group had been planning to go to this party way before June 27, before it took place,” Shepherd — who said he ultimately did not attend the event — told Rolling Stone.
The outlet also reported that another person shared metadata from the image, along with additional group photos taken that same night.
Shepherd said it was both “unbelievable” and “heartbreaking” to see misinformation, including the pool party claim, spreading across social media.
The claim was even boosted Sunday by Ben Crump, the high-profile civil rights lawyer representing Wells’ family.
Here’s the latest on the disappearance and death of Mississippi teen Nolan Wells:
Meanwhile, the youngster’s funeral is reportedly set to take place on Monday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center in Biloxi.
Paid for by Hollywood actor Tyler Perry, the ceremony will be officiated by the Reverend Al Sharpton, who has been supporting the family’s search for answers.
Wells’ heartbroken mom, Christine Wonsley, addressed the strain of preparing for her teen son’s funeral.
“Planning the funeral of our 18 year old does not feel real,” she wrote on Facebook Monday night. “All the emotions are running together.
“I thank God for the moments of being able to watch videos and hear his laugh again. We miss you so much Nolan.”
