Authorities have ended the search for a Mississippi teenager who disappeared over the Fourth of July weekend after officials said a body matching his description was found Monday morning.
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said the body was recovered from the water around 8:45 a.m. local time Monday near the northwest end of Horn Island, just offshore, according to the New York Post.
An official identification has not yet been made, but Ledbetter told the outlet that the body “does match the description” of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells.
Later Monday, the volunteer search organization United Cajun Navy said its search operations had come to an end.
Nolan Xavier Wells vanished on the Fourth of July while boating with friends, authorities said. (Jackson County Sheriff’s Department via Facebook)
“On behalf of the United Cajun Navy, we extend our deepest condolences to Nolan’s family, friends, teammates, and everyone whose lives were touched by him,” the group wrote in a Facebook statement. “We are grateful that Nolan’s family entrusted us to assist in this search.”
The organization said its crews had helped with “aerial search operations, boats, and boots on the ground” throughout the effort. “Please continue to keep Nolan’s loved ones in your prayers as they grieve this devastating loss. Rest easy, Nolan. You will not be forgotten,” the statement continued.
The United Cajun Navy posted video from the search Monday morning on Facebook. (United Cajun Navy via Facebook)
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Wells was last seen on the Fourth of July near Horn Island, according to authorities. A photo shared with police showed the teen smiling with friends on a boat that afternoon.
Search teams from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Department of Marine Resources, Gulf Islands National Seashore and U.S. Coast Guard combed the island and surrounding waters, establishing a centralized command post at the Lake Mars Boat Launch in Ocean Springs to coordinate the multi-agency effort.
Following the discovery of the body, Wells’ mother shared an emotional message on Facebook.
“His father, our family, friends and I are absolutely devastated,” Christine Wonsley wrote. “My heart [is] broken for my sweet son who was always willing to cheer and uplift others. Nolan was a special soul, God took his time creating our son. I ask that you please give me and my family time to grieve.”
Wonsley and her husband previously posted updates pleading for any photos or videos from the Fourth of July to help track Wells’ last known movements.
Members of the Cajun Navy, a volunteer rescue organization, shared video searching for the missing teen on Monday morning. (United Cajun Navy via Facebook)
“We have so many questions,” she wrote prior to the recovery of the body. “Our hearts are breaking, we keep waiting for Nolan to walk through that door with his beautiful smile and a joke of course.”
Amid their grief, the family is also warning the community about online scammers attempting to capitalize on the tragedy.
“I want you all to know a GoFund Me HAS NOT been created by myself, husband, family or friends,” Wonsley wrote in a separate post. “So if you see any please report that is not authentic. We will notify everyone if we choose to create one.”
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to inquiries from INC News.
