A multi-agency search ended after authorities recovered a body matching the description of missing teenager Nolan Wells near Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. The development marked a major turning point in the Horn Island Search, which began after the 18-year-old disappeared during Independence Day boating activities.
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said crews found a body in the water at approximately 8:45 a.m. local time on Monday. The recovery occurred just offshore near the northwest end of Horn Island.
Although officials have not completed a formal identification, the sheriff said the recovered body matched the description of Nolan Xavier Wells, who disappeared on July 4. Authorities said the identification process will continue before they make an official confirmation.
Following the discovery, the volunteer organization United Cajun Navy announced that it had ended its search operations. The group worked alongside local, state, and federal agencies throughout the rescue effort.
In a public statement, the organization expressed sympathy for Wells’ family, friends, teammates, and everyone who knew him. It also thanked the family for trusting volunteers to assist with the search. Members said they provided aerial searches, boats, and ground teams throughout the mission. They also encouraged the public to continue supporting Wells’ loved ones as they mourned.
Wells was last seen on July 4 near Horn Island while boating with friends. Investigators previously released a photograph showing the teenager smiling aboard a boat earlier that afternoon.
After he disappeared, multiple agencies launched a coordinated search across the island and nearby coastal waters. Participating teams included the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the Department of Marine Resources, Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Officials established a centralized command post at the Lake Mars Boat Launch in Ocean Springs. That location served as the coordination center for personnel, equipment, and ongoing search operations.
Following the recovery, Wells’ mother shared a message expressing her family’s grief. She said her husband, relatives, and friends were devastated by the loss.
According to her message, Nolan was a kind young man who consistently encouraged others and brought joy to those around him. The grieving mother also asked the public to respect the family’s privacy as they mourned.
Before the recovery, Wells’ parents repeatedly appealed for photographs and videos from anyone near Horn Island on July 4. They hoped additional images could help investigators reconstruct the teenager’s final movements.
In an earlier message, Wells’ mother wrote that the family continued hoping he would return home safely. She described the emotional uncertainty they experienced while search crews continued looking for him.
Even as they grieved, the family warned the public about fraudulent online fundraising efforts. Wells’ mother stated that neither she nor any relatives or close friends had created a GoFundMe campaign.
She urged community members to report fundraising pages claiming to support the family because they were not authentic. The family, she added, would notify the public directly if they later decided to establish an official fundraiser.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances surrounding Wells’ disappearance. Investigators continue handling the case while awaiting formal identification procedures.
The Horn Island Search brought together professional responders and volunteer organizations in a coordinated effort to locate the missing teenager. Although the operation has ended, the Horn Island Search remains a reminder of the extensive collaboration that followed Wells’ disappearance during the holiday weekend.
