Nolan Xavier Wells‘ parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley, have come forward, saying they don’t know Tracestin Shepherd, as updated information is shared about funeral services, and Angel Myers McIlrath, the Jackson County DA, speaks out.
Nolan Xavier Wells’ Parents Say They “Don’t Know” Tracestin Shepherd
Christine and Elmore Wonsley recently sat down for an exclusive interview with TheGrio. This, alongside their family’s attorney, Ben Crump. Furthermore, a clip was shared via Instagram, and during the conversation, Wells’ parents were asked about Tracestin Shepherd. As The Shade Room previously reported, Shepherd made headlines when he came forward, alleging that he — not Wells — was the voice heard in the viral footage taken of an argument on Horn Island on July 4. Subsequently, Shepherd alleged that a viral photo showing Wells at a pool party, allegedly on July 5, was actually taken on June 27, per The Shade Room. Amid this, Shepherd identified himself as one of Wells’ friends, and even “best friend.”
“So first of all, we don’t know Tracestin,” Christine told the outlet. “We’ve never met him. So to say, you know, best friend, childhood friend, that’s a bit of a stretch. We’ve never met him. He’s never been to our home… Maybe high school they started hanging out or kind of been around each other. But again, we don’t know him. And not to discount anything he has said — which, of course, still trying to rule those things out.”
Furthermore, Christine explained that Shepherd did reach out and offer his condolences.
“And he did let me know about that tidbit, which of course, like I’ve been telling everyone, if you have any information, forward that over to the local authorities… forward that over to our legal team just to make sure that we’re looking at everything,” Christine reiterated.
At that point, attorney Crump interjected and shared a message for Shepherd.
Keep scrolling to read the updated info on Nolan Xavier Wells’ funeral services.
#1
“Not only does his [Wells’] parents but his friends, they reject this notion that he said he would volunteer to stay. They’re saying Nolan would never do that. So his [Wells’] friends are saying he [Shepherd] doesn’t really know Nolan if he’s saying Nolan volunteered to stay there,” Crump explained. “And we’ve had so many people calling our call center saying there was this argument, then there was another argument 10 minutes later. But those people that have called said, ‘Nolan was in an argument.’ And so now we have to continue to investigate to try to figure out everything that happened.”
Crump ultimately stated that he and Wells’ family “do not accept” that the 18-year-old “volunteered to stay behind.”
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#3
Earlier This Week, Tracestin Shepherd Said He Won't Be Granting More Interviews
Earlier this week, Tracestin Shepherd took to Facebook to share a message with the public.
“To all media outlets: Please be advised that I will no longer be granting interviews to any additional reporters,” he wrote. “My intention was to speak truthfully regarding the situation. I have established direct contact with the necessary individuals should further clarification be required to address any misinformation. Moving forward, I will only be communicating with the two reporters with whom I am currently engaged. I apologize to anyone expecting a more extensive story; my priority remains advocating for myself, my friends, and justice for Nolan.”
#4
Football Coach From Nolan Xavier Wells' High School Says There Was No Racial Tension Between Student
Amid this, TMZ published an interview with Tracy Lampley, the football coach at Ocean Springs High School, the high school Nolan Wells attended. Per Lampley, Wells was a “great young man with a big personality.” He added that “everyone gravitated” to the teen, and he was a “joy to be around.”
When asked if there was “racial tension” at the high school, Lampley said no.
“I don’t think there was no racial tension at the school, from my experience,” he explained. “‘Cause you have a predominantly white school, you have Black kids, then they all play and grew up together and got along.”
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Lampley acknowledged that something could have happened that he “didn’t see.”
“But from what I did see, it was a tight-knit community,” he concluded.
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Updated Information Is Shared About Funeral Services For Nolan Xavier Wells
Then, on Tuesday, July 14, SunHerald published a report asserting that although the Mississippi Coast Convention Center agreed to host the funeral service for the 18-year-old, “another venue will be used.” As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this week, it was reported that the center would host the service on Monday, July 20.
Per WLOX, Coast Coliseum Executive Director Sam Voisin stated:
“The Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center Commission approved the use of the center to hold services for Nolan Wells on Monday, July 20th. We are in close communication with family representatives of Nolan Wells and confirming details of services, start times, end times, and logistics. A formal announcement will follow once all details are finalized.”
#8
However, SunHerald now reports that Sam Voisin has issued an update:
“After meeting with representatives of the Wells family, we support their decision not to hold Nolan Wells’ funeral services at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center, Monday, July 20, as previously discussed. We appreciate the opportunity to have worked with the family during this process and remain committed to supporting them and our community during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they continue making arrangements to celebrate his life.”
#9
Meanwhile, on Facebook, Christine Wonsley made it clear that all funeral details will be shared via her socials.
“All official information regarding Nolan’s funeral and repass will be posted on my social media account and via press release from my legal team. There are not enough thank you’s we can say for all the outpouring of love and concern. We truly appreciate the support ,” she wrote.
#10
More Information Is Shared About The Ongoing Investigation Into His Death
According to the SunHerald, the FBI has been assisting the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation into the death of Nolan Xavier Wells. Per Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter, the bureau has been assisting with efforts since the investigation launched. This, reportedly because Horn Island is federal land.
Specifically, Sheriff Lebetter noted that the FBI is assisting with “the forensic examination of the digital evidence investigators have collected during the investigation.”
“We have interviewed approximately 60 witnesses. Again, our investigation is ongoing and active,” Ledbetter reportedly told the press, noting that the 60 witnesses included the three white males Wells traveled to Horn Island with on July 4.
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Furthermore, the outlet reports that District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath has stated that her office is “offering support to law enforcement.”
“This case is being treated as a priority, and upon the conclusion of the investigation, the findings will go before a grand jury, which is our standard operating procedure for deaths that are not natural deaths,” she reportedly stated.
Per the outlet, the grand jury will “determine if any criminal wrongdoing occurred.” Lastly, the outlet notes that DA will be meeting with Wells’ family on Wednesday, July 15.
#12
“We’re able to share with victims a little bit more than we can share with outsiders. They’d probably get to know a little bit more if there is more to know, but it’s very limited again in what we can say,” the DA reportedly told NBC News.
Per PEOPLE, the DA noted that the investigation remains open and active. But it has not yet been labeled a “criminal” investigation.
“We don’t want to rush to judgment or speculate. I can tell you that this is a priority for everybody involved, and so we’re working very hard to understand what happened,” she reportedly added, noting that toxicology reports and autopsy details will be released to a grand jury before it is shared publicly.
#13
“Until the grand jury hears everything, those kinds of things can’t be released. [That’s to] protect the integrity of the investigation,” she reportedly added.
#14
Meanwhile, Brian Trascher, the National Vice President of the Cajun Navy, the team that found Wells’ body on July 6, has told Fox News, “There’s no evidence to suggest that he was dumped on an island and left for dead.”
“The working theory is that he drowned,” he added. “[His body] washed right back [to where he was last seen.] That tells me he didn’t go that far out… The wind and drift patterns tell a story. I’m not a medical professional. I’m not a professional investigator. I’m a search-and-rescue guy.”
Those with information about the case or original, unedited photographs or videos from Horn Island from the July 4 weekend are urged to call the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 228-769-3065.
Jadriena “Jade” Solomon is a journalist and editor, specializing in beauty, fashion, entertainment, and culture. A graduate of CUNY Brooklyn College’s Journalism and Media Studies program, she began her career in 2015, publishing independent op-ed articles, and has since built a strong digital media portfolio across reporting, editing, and hosting for major media companies.
As The Shade Room’s Senior Editor, Jadriena helps lead editorial direction, manages writers and editors, and has contributed more than 2,600 stories with over 45M page views since her start in 2022. Her past roles include contributing and staff positions at HelloBeautiful, Blavity News, 21Ninety, and Bronze Magazine. She has interviewed talents such as Tamron Hall, Eboni K. Williams, Tia Mowry, LeToya Luckett, Salt-N-Pepa, and more.
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