Nolan Wells’ Parents Break Down in Tears Remembering the Teen at Crowded Funeral After Mysterious Death

For the service, Wells’ casket, in dark blue, was adorned with baby blue and white flowers.

Various jerseys from throughout his athletic career were displayed in frames on either side of the casket, including his football jerseys from Ocean Springs High School and Mississippi Community College in Summit, Miss.

Many in the audience honored Wells by wearing shades of blue, especially light blue, after his mother encouraged those who wished to wear color to do so.

“I ask that each of you keep Nolan’s memory alive,” she said. “Hold him close in your hearts, share his stories and never stop saying his name. As long as we continue to remember him, his light will continue to shine through us all.”

Elmore, in remarks after his wife, described Wells as both a gifted student athlete — Elmore choked up as he recalled nicknaming Wells “Mr. Cool Hands” for his ability to score touchdowns — and supportive big brother to his brothers and sisters.

“Nolan meant a lot to a lot of people, and today it just shows us how much he meant to the community, to the country and to the world,” Elmore said.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who has joined the family in their public appeals for information and a deeper investigation, gave the eulogy at Monday’s funeral, which drew hundreds of attendees, including filmmaker Spike Lee and retired NFL star Terrell Owens.

“I hear this morning Nolan’s blood crying from the ground,” Sharpton said, invoking the Biblical tale of Cain and Abel. “Am I my brother’s keeper or am I the keeper of some secret — some information that you could give and won’t stand up? But the blood’s gonna haunt you. Those in law enforcement, your job is to follow the oath, not to follow the preference of what goes down.”

Wells’ mom, who has been candid about her grief, previously said she wanted to approach the day as a celebration of her son’s life.

“He would not want us to be sitting around crying and eating,” she told reporters during a news conference on Wednesday, July 15.

Much remains publicly unknown about what happened to Wells after he traveled to Horn Island by boat with friends for a Fourth of July party but did not return with them.

That evening, his mother reported him missing after hearing from one of his friends and a search was launched the following day. His body was recovered in the water at the island on July 6.

There have been conflicting accounts about whether Wells — who was last seen on the island around 3 p.m. local time on July 4, according to authorities — chose to remain on Horn Island.

His friends told authorities that he decided to stay behind after meeting a girl, but Wells’ parents have said it would have been out of character for him to voluntarily separate from the group.

They have suggested something more nefarious could have befallen the young man and then hidden.

Together with civil rights attorney Ben Crump, the teen’s parents have also sharply questioned the ongoing investigation — calling for thoroughness and transparency and suggesting race is a factor — and have said they don’t believe Wells accidentally drowned, as authorities said is possible given the lack of foul play uncovered so far.

A few attendees at the holiday party have spoken publicly — describing a raucous, bustling celebration of hundreds, some of whom were drinking. Currents around the island have also proven to be dangerous, according to locals.

But Wells’ family has focused on the lack of answers about where he went that day and with who — as though he vanished in plain sight from the water and later was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ.

“If he’s drowning, nobody sees him drown? Nobody offers ᴀssistance? Nobody tries to help?” the family’s attorney said last week.

Wells’ cause of death has not been confirmed and the results of an official and independent autopsy remain pending.

The family has also questioned why Wells’ friends would leave without him while taking his keys and phone, which his parents later retrieved after Wells was reported missing. (One of Wells’ friends said he left his phone to protect it from the ocean and Wells had stayed with friends the night before the party in order to ride with them on the boat that day.)

Meanwhile, Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter and Wells’ family, who are conducting their own parallel investigation, have asked anyone with firsthand information to come forward.

Once the sheriff’s office completes its investigation, the case will then be presented to a grand jury.

At Monday’s funeral, Crump, the family’s attorney, said their goal was simple: “Wouldn’t you want answers? Wouldn’t you want transparency? Wouldn’t you want the truth? Wouldn’t you want justice?” he said.

“We stand for truth,” he said, “no matter who it implicates or exonerates.”