Authorities Recover Body in Search for Missing Mississippi College Football Player

Authorities say a body matching the description of missing Mississippi football player Nolan Xavier Wells was recovered Monday morning after an extensive search near Horn Island. According to the New York Post , Jackson…

Andrew PowellJul 6, 20262 min read

BodyDeath InvestigationMississippiU.S. News

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Cajun Navy Incident Commander Josh Gill appealed to the public for help during the search, saying Wells had not been heard from for nearly 24 hours after arriving on the island by boat.

"He was last talking to a girl on that north end, he went out to Horn Island with some buddies yesterday on a boat and he has not been heard from in close to 24 hours," Gill said in a video posted to Facebook.

He also urged anyone spending time on the water to remain alert.

"So guys, if you're out there fishing, if you're out there jet skiing, doing whatever you guys are doing, keep your eyes out for Nolan," Gill said.

"Guys, please, please keep your eyes out… Let's find this young boy, his mother is worried sick."

Authorities have not said whether Wells ever returned to the mainland after the outing.

Wells was a wide receiver at Southwest Mississippi Community College and previously played football at Ocean Springs High School.

Search efforts included volunteers from the United Cajun Navy, along with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, and the Harrison County Sheriff's Department.

Volunteer pilots, drone operators and boat crews searched the waters between Horn Island, Ship Island and the Chandelier Islands.

Officials have not announced a cause of death, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Authorities previously asked anyone with information about Wells' disappearance to contact the Jackson County Sheriff's Department.

Watch the video below: