Nolan Wells' Mother Says Family Received Hate Mail: 'May The Good Lord Have Mercy On Your Soul'

Nolan Wells’ mother said she and her husband received hate mail following the death of their son.

Christine Wonsley speaks out on social media after receiving hate mail

Nearly two weeks after the 18-year-old’s body was found on the northwest end of Mississippi’s Horn Island following his disappearance after a July 4 gathering with friends, Christine Wonsley responded to hate mail sent by an anonymous sender, according to Fox 10 News and People.

“Whoever sent this to my home, may the good Lord have mercy on your soul,” Wonsley wrote Sunday in a Facebook post, alongside the message.

“Bold enough to send this crap but not bold enough to list your return address,” she continued.

The mail included an emotional photo of her at a news conference alongside her husband, Elmore Wonsley, with the Rev. Al Sharpton and family attorney Ben Crump standing behind them with their hands on her shoulders.

The sender drew arrows from Sharpton’s and Crump’s eyes toward Christine and added multiple dollar signs.

“This is America where a grieving mother and father have to deal with this type of behavior because we asked a simple question of what happened to our son and accepted all the help we could get to find answers,” Christine wrote in the Facebook post. “Please go touch some grass.”

Details on Nolan Wells’ death and what his friends said before his disappearance

Wells was a former football player at Ocean Springs High School and a wide receiver at Southwest Mississippi Community College. He was set to turn 19 next month and return for another semester at Southwest Mississippi, according to Blavity.

He went missing July 4 on Horn Island after celebrating with a group of friends. Two of Wells’ closest friends, Jayvon Williams and Trace Carter, told The Biloxi Sun-Herald about their interactions with him before his disappearance.

Williams, one of Wells’ best friends, told the outlet he had planned to ride with Wells on the boat, but it was too full, so he decided to take the next one.

He also said he last saw Wells after 4 p.m. that day. According to Williams, the teen spent time talking to a girl he had met and reconnecting with other friends on the island. Williams recalled that when they arrived, Wells told him, “I love you,” and they left their phones on the boat Wells had initially ridden.

Williams later retrieved his phone, while Christine later located her son’s phone using location services. Meanwhile, Carter told the outlet he last spoke with Wells before the trip and told him to be careful, to which Wells responded, “I got you. I’ll hit you up later,” according to Blavity and the Biloxi Sun-Herald.

Authorities said the investigation found no evidence of foul play despite the family’s concerns

Another friend of Wells, Tracestin Shepherd, told ABC News that their friend group had been drinking since the morning after multiple boats carrying them arrived on the island. He said the gathering was considered a “last hurrah” before they returned to school or work after the holiday, according to Fox News.

He claimed Wells stayed behind to talk to a girl he had met while the others departed on multiple boats, leaving the island. The teen’s body was found two days later.

Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said he did not believe there was any foul play, according to ABC News, adding, “[The friends] left [Horn Island] and went back without Nolan. From what we understand, he chose to stay there.”

The results of Wells’ autopsy remain pending, along with the toxicology report. An independent autopsy was conducted, and the results were initially expected to be released on July 10. However, they were delayed because of issues transporting Wells’ body, Crump said, Fox News reported.

A funeral for Wells was held Monday in Mississippi

The Wonsley family has continued seeking answers about what happened to Wells leading up to his death while planning funeral arrangements during their grief.

A GoFundMe was created to help cover funeral expenses and other costs. It has raised more than $735,000, including a $100,000 donation from Byron Allen, according to Newsweek.

Wells’ funeral was held Monday at Center Pointe Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, according to the outlet.

Visitation was held from 9 to 11 a.m. before the service, which was eulogized by the Rev. Al Sharpton and included a “call for justice” from Crump.