CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 13: Christine Wonsley speaks onstage during "The New Power Structure: Black Politics in the Age of Resistance" panel during the 2026 National Association Of Black Journalists Convention at Atlanta Marriott Marquis on August 13, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images); JULY 22: People listen as attorney Ben Crump holds a press conference with Elmore Wonsley and Christine Wells-Wonsley, the parents of Nolan Wells, at the annual NAACP National Convention to announce the results of an independent autopsy as they investigate the death of Wells on July 22, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. Eighteen-year-old Wells was found dead two days after he disappeared during a July 4th boat trip to Horn Island off the coast of Mississippi with a group of high school friends. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Christine Wonsley shared a post on social media ahead of her birthday with a message to her late son, Nolan Wells. The family celebrated what would’ve been Nolan’s 19th birthday in August, and Wonsley shared an adorable baby picture of her “birth date” twin on Wednesday, September 2.
Christine Wonsley shared a message to her late son on Threads on Wednesday, noting that she and Nolan called themselves “birth date twins.” Nolan would have celebrated his birthday on August 19.
“Its my birthday month and you arent here to celebrate with me,” she wrote. “I always joked and said we were almost birth date twins. We both have milestone birthdays this year and youre gone. My heart hurts so badly. Guys pray for me because this is the hardest reality Ive ever had to face. #JusticeForNolanWells #IStandForNolan #NolanMatters.”
The Shade Room reported that Nolan was found dead off of Horn Island two days after he went missing. The teen had been on a Fourth of July outing with a group of mostly white friends. Discrepancies unveiled during the investigation prompted the family to hire civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Subsequently, the lawyer called for transparency.
Wonsley recognized her son’s 19th birthday on August 19, and she shared a video of his birthday. The Dolce Bakeshop made the cake for the family.
“Brooke at @dolcebakeshopms blessed our sweet sonshine, Nolan, with this beautiful birthday cake! Our family absolutely enjoyed every bit of this masterpiece,” she wrote. “Thank you again . #JusticeForNolanWells#IStandForNolan#NolanLifeMatters.”
The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum is honoring Wonsley at the organization’s 30-year anniversary. The event is in Los Angeles next month. Wonsley shared NAPAWFs post that includes a photograph with Nolan and her husband, Elmore, on Instagram to note the event. The NAPAWF captioned the post:
“This October, we are proud to recognize Christine Wells-Wonsley as an honoree at NAPAWF’s 30th anniversary event in Los Angeles,” it reads. “Christine is the mother of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Black and Filipino American young man whose death has left his family grieving and searching for answers. A Black and Filipina nurse practitioner who has spent her career caring for others, Christine is now demonstrating immense courage and determination as she advocates for her own family and calls for a transparent investigation.”
“Our organization was founded to ensure AANHPI women have the power to advocate for themselves, their families, and their communities. We are honored to uplift Christine as she embodies this mission and continues to fight for Nolan. A portion of funds raised through the evening will support the Wells-Wonsley family through this incredibly difficult time.”
