Search Efforts Intensify for Missing Mississippi Teen After Body Found

WHO:

WLOX - Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd stated that DNA testing will officially confirm the identity of the body found.

WLOX - The missing teenager is identified as 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells.

WLOX - Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter is involved in the search efforts.

WLOX - Multiple agencies are participating in the search, including the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the Department of Marine Resources, the Gulf Islands National Seashore, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the United Cajun Navy.

WHAT:

WLOX - The body found is believed to be that of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells, and the sheriff mentioned that the body matched Wells' description.

TMZ - A body has been found on Horn Island.

WLOX - The body was discovered around 8:45 a.m. by a park ranger.

WLOX - The identity of the body has not been confirmed.

WLOX - Nolan Wells was last seen on Horn Island.

WHERE:

WLOX - The body was found on the northwest end of Horn Island.

WLOX - A command post for the search has been set up at the Lake Mars Boat Launch, located at 1200 Lake Mars Avenue in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

WHEN:

WLOX - Nolan Wells was last seen on Saturday, July 4, around 3 p.m.

WHY:

WLOX - Wells' mother reported him missing late Saturday night after he went to the island with friends for Independence Day.

HOW:

WLOX - The family confirmed their loss through social media posts.

WLOX - A massive search is underway involving multiple agencies.

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 19:32 UTC)

Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd announced that DNA testing will officially confirm the identity of a body found, which is believed to be that of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells. The sheriff noted that the body matched Wells' description, and his mother had reported him missing after he went to the island with friends for Independence Day. The family has shared their grief through social media posts, confirming their loss to the community.

--

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 17:54 UTC)

A body has been found on Horn Island, discovered by a park ranger around 8:45 a.m., although the identity has yet to be confirmed. The missing teenager, 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells, was last seen on Horn Island on Saturday, July 4, and search efforts are being led by Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter, with support from multiple agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard and the United Cajun Navy. A command post for the ongoing search has been established at the Lake Mars Boat Launch in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.