A park ranger discovered a body matching the description of missing 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells off the coast of Horn Island, Mississippi, on Monday morning, July 6, 2026.
Officials have suspended active rescue operations following the discovery.
According to Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter, search crews recovered the individual at approximately 8:45 a. m.
in the water just offshore from the northwest end of the wilderness island.
Wells was last seen there around 3 p. m.
on Saturday, July 4, after celebrating Independence Day on the island. His mother reported him missing late Saturday night.
Multiple agencies participated in the intensive search, including the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, the U.
S.
Coast Guard, the Gulf Islands National Seashore, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, and the United Cajun Navy.
Sheriff Ledbetter stated that the located individual matched the description of the missing teenager and that officials had immediately contacted the family.
Emergency personnel transported the county coroner to the island by boat. Official confirmation regarding the identity of the deceased remains pending from medical authorities.
Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd said an examination at the state medical examiner's office will be required for official verification.
Family members have already shared posts on social media acknowledging their loss.
“We are going to confirm positive identification through DNA,” Lynd said.
He noted that the physical characteristics aligned with the missing teen, adding, “There is no reason to believe it is not him.”
Wells was an Ocean Springs High School graduate who played as a wide receiver on the football team.
He was a rising sophomore at Southwest Mississippi Community College.
Former teammates and friends expressed grief as news of the discovery broke, recalling his positive character and willingness to help others.
“I grew up with Nolan, and he’s one of my best friends,” said Sharroid Whitehead, a teammate. Whitehead added that Wells was highly respectful and always happy.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department maintained a command post at the Lake Mars Boat Launch in Ocean Springs during the operation.
Investigators are requesting anyone who interacted with Wells on Horn Island to contact the sheriff's department at 228-769-3063 to help establish his final movements.
