A friend of Nolan Wells has shot down claims that a viral photo shows the teen at a pool party after he went missing — as the youngster’s mom spoke out about the pain of preparing for his funeral.
The 18-year-old vanished during a boat trip with friends to Horn Island, off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, on the afternoon of the Fourth of July. His body was found there two days later.
Police have said nothing “yet” points to foul play, but the college football player’s family is conducting an independent investigation amid claims the circumstances around the death “don’t add up.”
Over the weekend, a wild theory claimed that Wells could be seen in a pool party photo supposedly taken on the night of July 4 –– meaning he may have made it back to land alive before being found dead.
However, Wells’ close pal Tracestin Shepherd shut down the online rumors and said the photo was taken the previous Saturday, on June 27.
“Our friend group had been planning to go to this party way before June 27, before it took place,” Shepherd –– who said he did not end up attending the gathering –– told Rolling Stone.
A second person provided metadata from the photo and other group photos taken that night, the outlet reported.
Shepherd added that it was “unbelievable” and “heartbreaking” that misinformation like the pool party theory was being spread online.
The claim was even boosted Sunday by Ben Crump, the high-profile civil rights lawyer representing Wells’ family.
Here’s the latest on the disappearance and death of Mississippi teen Nolan Wells:
Meanwhile, the youngster’s funeral is reportedly set to take place on Monday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center in Biloxi.
Paid for by Hollywood actor Tyler Perry, the ceremony will be officiated by the Reverend Al Sharpton, who has been supporting the family’s search for answers.
Wells’ heartbroken mom, Christine Wonsley, addressed the strain of preparing for her teen son’s funeral.
“Planning the funeral of our 18 year old does not feel real,” she wrote on Facebook Monday night. “All the emotions are running together.
“I thank God for the moments of being able to watch videos and hear his laugh again. We miss you so much Nolan.”
