Nolan Wells’ mother says anonymous hate mail targeted her search for answers
Christine Wonsley said a marked-up photo was mailed to her home as her family questions the drowning theory in her 18-year-old son’s death.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Christine Wonsley says the pain over her 18-year-old son Nolan Wells’ death has now been followed by an anonymous piece of mail sent to her home.
According to TMZ, Wonsley posted the mailing on Facebook after receiving a marked-up photo connected to her family’s push for answers. The image showed civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton and attorney Ben Crump standing with Wonsley and her husband, Elmore Wonsley, TMZ reported.
The photo had been defaced, according to TMZ, with arrows drawn from the men toward Christine and dollar signs added to the image. The markings appeared to target the family’s decision to accept public support while questioning what happened to Nolan.
Wonsley responded publicly in her Facebook post, writing, “Whoever sent this to my home, may the good Lord have mercy on your soul.”
She also criticized the sender for mailing the item without a return address, according to TMZ. Wonsley said she and her husband are grieving parents who asked for answers about their son’s death and accepted help in that effort.
Her message to the anonymous sender ended with a blunt line: “Please go touch some grass.”
Nolan Wells disappeared during a Fourth of July trip
Nolan vanished during a Fourth of July boating trip to Horn Island in Mississippi, TMZ previously reported. His friends said he stayed behind on the island without his phone.
Two days later, his body was found in the water, according to TMZ.
Authorities have said they believe Nolan drowned, TMZ reported. Detectives had not found evidence of a crime, according to the outlet.
Wonsley’s family has challenged that explanation and has pushed for more answers. TMZ reported that the family has begun an independent investigation with help from Crump, a civil rights attorney known for taking on high-profile death and injury cases.
Crump has publicly supported the family as they press for more information, and Sharpton has also appeared alongside them, according to the Facebook image described by TMZ.
Family keeps pressing after official theory
The anonymous mailing arrived while the family’s questions about Nolan’s death remain unresolved in their view. TMZ reported that authorities believe the case points to drowning, while the family continues to seek its own review of the circumstances.
Wonsley’s Facebook post made clear she viewed the mailing as an attack on grieving parents, not as a reason to stop asking questions.
No return address was included with the mailing, according to Wonsley’s post as reported by TMZ. The identity of the sender has not been reported.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.