‘We will always celebrate you’: Nolan Wells’ family honors him on what would have been his 19th birthday
TheGrio...
Nolan Wells’ family shared an emotional birthday message for the teen, whose body was found on Horn Island in Mississippi last month.
Today marks what would have been Nolan Wells’ 19th birthday. However, instead of showering the teen with gifts, cake and candles, his loved ones are continuing their quest for answers on what happened to the late teen since he was found two days after disappearing during a July 4th boat trip on Mississippi’s Horn Island.
In honor of the late teen’s birthday, his family shared a birthday message on Facebook.
“Today you are 19 Nono! There are so many things we want to say but we will keep it simple,” she wrote. “As we sit here and reflect on what an amazing kiddo you grew up to be, we can’t help but to feel blessed, honored, proud, but most of all thankful. Thankful we were able to experience a glimpse of God’s love in human form. Although you are no longer physically here with us, we will always celebrate you and the legacy you have left for us to protect.”
“You have taught us so much about life and how everyday is a blessing and how we have to do better at just living in the moment. Thank you for being the best son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend anyone could ever ask for. Thank you for bringing joy, laughter and real happiness to us each and every day. You are truly our angel. Raising you has been an absolute joy and honor. You will be missed every second of everyday and you will never be forgotten our sweet sonshine. Happy Heavenly 19th Birthday Nono. Remember, don’t eat too much Oreo cake and hug Grandma for us,” she continued.
Adding “We love you, our beloved son and brother” in her native Philippine tongue, Tagalog, at the end of the message, Wonsley signed the letter “Mom, Dad, Siblings, Louie, Ling, and Family.” Since his body was found on July 6, Wells’ parents, Christine and Elmore, have tapped civil rights attorney Ben Crump for support in uncovering the truth about their son’s case. Having garnered national attention, communities across the country have been collectively calling for justice for Nolan Wells. The teens’ case has especially raised suspicions, as individuals who reportedly were on the boat with Wells on Horn Island have shared conflicting accounts of when the teen was last seen. While some said he decided to stay on the island to talk to a girl named Katie, Katie’s friends claim he returned to the boat with the friends he came with.
“The fact that you have the young lady who said that Nolan said he was going to get back on the boat with the boys, and then the boys said no, Nolan told them that he was going to stay with the girl. Which one is it? Somebody must not be telling the truth,” Crump previously shared. “And again, we cannot overstate it enough. What 18-year-old teenager says, ‘I’m going to stay behind on the island and don’t ask for their cell phone.’”
While the national attention has sparked waves of hateful messages targeting Wells’ family, it has also helped raise awareness about other Black teens who died under suspicious circumstances, including Daniel Erving and Tyler Smith.
As communities await results from the independent and local officials’ investigations, they are unified by the collective grief of yet another young Black boy’s life being cut short and are gathering today for a noon prayer call being hosted in collaboration with Wonsley and Rev. Al Sharpton.