Black teen found dead after July 4 boat trip to be remembered at funeral led by the Rev. Al Sharpton

Nolan Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old found dead after a July 4 boat trip to Horn Island off the Gulf Coast, will be remembered at a funeral on Monday in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The service will be officiated by Rev. Al Sharpton, with a call to justice from attorney Ben Crump. Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, said the family plans to celebrate his life rather than focus on mourning. The death gained national attention, intensifying discussions about racial tension and mistrust of law enforcement in the Deep South. Officials said Wells traveled by boat with a group of white high school friends and did not return to the mainland that evening; his body was found two days later. Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said friends are cooperating and initial interviews suggested Wells stayed on the island. Crump disputed parts of the account, alleging deleted phone messages, and said investigators plan to present results to a grand jury once completed. Wells was also a wide receiver at Southwest Mississippi Community College.