What began as a Fourth of July trip quickly turned into every parent's worst nightmare after the 18-year-old football player suddenly disappeared without a trace, prompting an urgent search across the Mississippi coast.

JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) — A body was found in the water on the northwest end of Horn Island on Monday morning, according to Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter.

Officials said the body, which is believed to be that of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells, was found around 8:45 a.m. by a park ranger.

Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd said DNA testing will officially confirm the identity, but Lynd said: “There is no reason to believe it is not him.”

The sheriff also said the body found did match the description of Wells, and the family shared posts on social media confirming their loss.

Ledbetter said Wells’ mother reported him missing late Saturday night after he went to the island with his friends on a small boat for Independence Day.

Officials said the teen was last seen on Saturday, July 4, around 3 p.m. on Horn Island.

A view of Horn Island as the United Cajun Navy took part in the search. (United Cajun Navy)

The search for Wells involved multiple agencies, 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.

Ledbetter said there is currently no indication of drug or alcohol use, but that the coroner would have more information following the investigation and toxicology report.

Wells played football at Ocean Springs High School and Southwest Mississippi Community College.

“We are devastated by Nolan’s passing,” said Jake Bramlett, Ocean Springs head football coach. “He was the kind of son, teammate, friend and student that every coach hopes to have in a program… Nolan was so much more than an outstanding football player. He carried himself with humility, treated others with respect, worked hard and led by example. His character spoke louder than his accomplishments, and he was loved deeply by his teammates and coaches. Our football family is grieving alongside Nolan’s parents, family, friends, classmates, teammates and all who loved him.”

UPDATE: Family identifies body found on Horn Island as 18-year-old Nolan Wells

“Nolan was a remarkable student, teammate and brother,” said Ocean Springs High School Principal Dr. Jacob Dykes. “He will be remembered as an extremely kind and hardworking young man who left a lasting impression on his teachers, coaches, teammates and community. Our thoughts are with his family and the many people he made a lasting impact on around him.”

Family Confirms Loss After Body Believed to Be Missing 18-Year-Old Found on Horn Island - Darkhorse Press

“The entire Southwest family is heartbroken as we mourn the tragic loss of Nolan Wells,” said Southwest Mississippi CC President Dr. J. Steven Bishop. “We remember Nolan as a well-respected young man who was very popular among friends, faculty, and staff. We loved Nolan, and he will be greatly missed in many ways. Our continued prayers will be with the Wells family now and in the days to come. Professional counselors and local ministers will be available to assist teammates and friends as they return to campus [Monday]. May God lead and guide all involved during this difficult time.”

Flash News Wave

What began as a Fourth of July trip quickly turned into every parent’s worst nightmare after the 18-year-old football player suddenly disappeared without a trace, prompting an urgent search across the Mississippi coast.

NINE MONTHS PREGNANT, I FELL FROM AN ICY CLIFF WHILE MY HUSBAND STOOD ABOVE ME WITH HIS SECRET LOVER—AND THE WORDS I HEARD THEM SAY MADE ME REALIZE THEY EXPECTED TO COLLECT $50 MILLION AFTER I WAS GONE.

I SENT ALMOST $100,000 HOME WHILE SERVING OVERSEAS FOR FOUR YEARS—THEN RETURNED WITHOUT WARNING AND FOUND MY WIFE BALD, PAINFULLY THIN, AND SLEEPING IN A DAMP STORAGE ROOM WHILE MY MOTHER AND SISTER LIVED IN COMFORT.

MY HUSBAND SMASHED OUR SIX-WEEK-OLD BABY’S CRIB, THREW IT ONTO THE LAWN, AND TOLD ME NEITHER OF US BELONGED IN HIS HOUSE—WHILE HIS MISTRESS STOOD BEHIND HIM WEARING MY DEAD MOTHER’S JEWELRY.

Flash News Wave

What began as a Fourth of July trip quickly turned into every parent’s worst nightmare after the 18-year-old football player suddenly disappeared without a trace, prompting an urgent search across the Mississippi coast.

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NINE MONTHS PREGNANT, I FELL FROM AN ICY CLIFF WHILE MY HUSBAND STOOD ABOVE ME WITH HIS SECRET LOVER—AND THE WORDS I HEARD THEM SAY MADE ME REALIZE THEY EXPECTED TO COLLECT $50 MILLION AFTER I WAS GONE.

I SENT ALMOST $100,000 HOME WHILE SERVING OVERSEAS FOR FOUR YEARS—THEN RETURNED WITHOUT WARNING AND FOUND MY WIFE BALD, PAINFULLY THIN, AND SLEEPING IN A DAMP STORAGE ROOM WHILE MY MOTHER AND SISTER LIVED IN COMFORT.

MY HUSBAND SMASHED OUR SIX-WEEK-OLD BABY’S CRIB, THREW IT ONTO THE LAWN, AND TOLD ME NEITHER OF US BELONGED IN HIS HOUSE—WHILE HIS MISTRESS STOOD BEHIND HIM WEARING MY DEAD MOTHER’S JEWELRY.