Nolan Wells update: Search for missing 18-year-old called off after body found in northwest Horn Island
The search for missing 18-year-old Nolan Wells, who has not been seen since July 4, was called off Monday after a body was recovered in northeast Horn Island in Mississippi. Wells, who went missing from the city on Saturday, has been the subject of a massive city-wide search for the last three days.
As of now, authorities have yet to confirm if the body recovered Monday afternoon is that of Nolan Wells. United Cajun Navy, who were leading the search efforts, confirmed on Monday in a Facebook post that the search was called off after a body was recovered.
“The search for 18-year-old Nolan Wells has been called off after a body was located Monday morning on the northwest end of Horn Island,” the update read. “At this time, officials have not confirmed the identity of the individual found. We will continue to provide updates as officials release a statement.
“Our hearts are with Nolan’s family, friends, the first responders, and everyone impacted as they await official confirmation.”
The United Cajun Navy added that they will not provide any more updates on the incident pending an official confirmation of the identity of the body recovered on Monday.
“Out of respect for the family and the ongoing investigation, we will continue to defer to law enforcement for any additional updates,” the update added. “Please keep everyone affected in your thoughts and prayers.”
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The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, which earlier provided an update on the search for Wells, also confirmed that a body was found. Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter confirmed earlier on Monday that the body “appeared to match” the descriptions of Wells.
“The body was found in the water, just off shore just off the west end of Horn Island,” he told the New York Post.
Nolan Wells case: What to know
Nolan Wells disappeared on a Fourth of July weekend trip with friends to Horn Island, a popular tourist destination off the coast of Mississippi. An Ocean Springs resident, he was last seen around 3pm local time on July 4, Saturday, in Horn Island.
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Amid the search, the authorities described Wells as a 6-foot-one high-school football player who weighed around 180 pounds. He “was last seen on Horn Island wearing blue, not black as previously mentioned, swim trunks, no shirt, and sunglasses,” the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department had said in a press release.
The release also confirmed that the Department of Marine Resources, the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the United States Coast Guard were assisting in the search.