"Different for my family here on out": loved ones remember Nolan Wells on his 19th birthday

The Mississippi teen was found dead on Horn Island in July and over a month later, an investigation is still ongoing, with few signs indicating when officials will release more information to the public. 

At Greater St. John AME Church in Biloxi, loved ones gathered for a prayer rally not just to mourn Wells while waiting for answers, but to celebrate his life as well. 

"I want you to know, Nolan, that at this moment, there are so many people saying your name, wishing you happy heavenly birthday," his mother, Christine Wells-Wonsley said. "And just know, our sweet sonshine, that your father and I continue to fight for the truth and your legacy."

His parents remembered the joy that Wells brought to them and his friends, siblings and classmates — and what losing that has meant for them. 

"Every morning, when my feet hit the floor, I have to say a prayer to give me the strength to face this challenge of dealing with not knowing my son is here," Elmore Wonsley, Wells' father said. "It's going to be different for my family here on out. We're going to miss our son every day." 

Dr. Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia traveled to Biloxi to be the keynote speaker at the prayer rally, recognizing the difficulties the Wells family has faced in the past month.

"I want to thank them for operating at the highest level of dignity and class and showing us how to deal with pain: but not allowing pain to turn into rage," Bryant said while addressing the crowd. 

Ahead of the rally, Bryant spoke with MPB News and emphasized that he wanted the night to be about prayer, not politics. 

"We're not pointing fingers at people, but we're lifting our hands towards God," Bryant said in a phone interview. "We don't want this to be lost in a partisan conversation."

"We really just want justice for the family and we want closure for the family."

During the rally, Bryant did discuss some of the contentious points of the case, highlighting the need for justice in the investigation and the anxieties that have persisted throughout: whether race had anything to do with Wells' death and if investigators are doing all they can to find out what happened to him.

"Not protection if it's convenient, not protection if it is familiar, and not protection if it was in the right zip code, and not protection just if you were absent of melanin," Bryant said. "But there is protection for everybody because all men and all women are created equal." 

Local and state leaders also spoke about the investigation on Wednesday night. Details from the investigation are still scarce. 

"As a man of God, I find it devastating when a life is taken too soon," said state representative Jeffrey Hulum, III. "But as an elected official, I am frustrated."

"We demand transparency. We look for honesty. We look for respect. We come together in unity." 

Local law enforcement still hasn't released findings from the investigation to the public and in a press release, Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath reiterated that she doesn't have the freedom to share information ahead of a grand jury review. 

One of the family's attorneys, Eric Hertz, told NPR last week that he believes that grand jury review could happen in less than 30 days. In the meantime, Wells' cell phone has yet to be examined.

The prayers and speeches acknowledged the family's pain, the need for justice and the questions that still remain with the ongoing investigation. 

But, on Wells' birthday, his loved ones came back to celebrating his life and Wells as a kind and caring son, brother, friend and classmate. 

"Today, you are big 19, Nolan, but you're not here," Wells-Wonsley said. "This morning, I had to fight the urge to FaceTime you and sing my off-tune happy birthday song that all of the kids get."

"As I would sing, I just remember that I would always watch him laugh and smile, but again, you're not here. I miss the warmth of your hugs. I miss hearing you say, 'I love you, Ma.' I miss everything about you." 

The evening instead ended with the Wells' family, surrounded by loved ones and the community, singing happy birthday to Wells as they continue to grieve and push for answers. 

"It's going to be hard, but I know that we continue to lean into each other, keep pushing the issue and asking the main question, the only question: what happened to our son?" said Wonsley. "Justice will prevail. We will not be distracted."