Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton announced a $50,000 reward during a memorial service on Monday in Mississippi for information regarding the death of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells.
Wells' body was discovered following a July 4 boat trip to Horn Island with a group of white friends.
Sharpton joined the teenager's family at a local church to demand an independent investigation into the incident.
Family and Community Seek Answers
The memorial service began with emotional tributes from Wells' parents, who remembered their son as a talented athlete and role model for his younger siblings.
"He had a way of making people feel seen, welcomed and valued," said Christine Wonsley, the teenager's mother.
She added that her son possessed a unique ability to elevate the confidence of others and foster a deep sense of belonging through his words.
During his eulogy, Sharpton criticized the initial handling of the case by local authorities and questioned the speed with which law enforcement ruled out criminal activity.
"There's too many unanswered questions," Sharpton said.
The civil rights leader connected the situation to historical racial violence in Mississippi, referencing past incidents to explain national scrutiny.
"The reason why a lot of people in the nation are looking at this Nolan situation is that we've looked at history in Mississippi," Sharpton said.
He emphasized that addressing the historical context is necessary before communities can heal.
Family attorney Ben Crump engaged the congregation to advocate for justice as the mother wept alongside her husband, Elmore Wonsley.
The suspicious circumstances surrounding the disappearance have generated significant online commentary and led the family to question why the teenager was left behind on the island.
Crump stated that a separate witness offered an account contradicting the official timeline provided by the local sheriff regarding Wells' intentions to leave the island.
"Our lived experiences tell us that we must question everything, everybody's role, law enforcement's role," Crump said.
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter stated that the friends of the victim are cooperating with the ongoing probe, noting that initial interviews indicated Wells chose to remain on the island while his companions assumed he would secure alternative transit.
Wells' football coach at Southwest Mississippi Community College, Les George, recalled the young wide receiver's friendly and open nature.
"He was very sociable with everyone, didn't meet a stranger," George said.
He recounted that the student would frequently visit his office spontaneously just to converse and spend time together.
Representatives from the Congressional Black Caucus issued a formal demand for total transparency and an outside review of the facts.
"We hope the outpouring of concern and support from people across the country in recent days brings them some comfort in the days ahead," they said.
The local prosecutor has agreed to submit the final findings of the official investigation to a grand jury once the police department completes its current inquiry.
