Media mogul and late night host Byron Allen has donated $100,000 to a GoFundMe set up by the family of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells, who was found dead after disappearing over the July 4th holiday. Wells’ death while on a boat trip to Horn Island, Mississippi with friends raised many suspicions and left unanswered questions.
News of Mr. Allen’s donation was first reported by his website, TheGrio. “My prayers are with this beautiful family during this extremely difficult time,” Allen told Variety. “My hope is that Nolan Wells’ loved ones and humanity get all the answers we deserve.”
A GoFundMe was set up earlier this week to support Wells’ family, including his mother Christine Wonsley. Other celebrities who have donated to GoFundMe include comedian Lil Rel Howery and Auburn football quarterback Deuce Knight. As of Saturday afternoon, the GoFundMe had raised $574,719 of its $750,000 goal.
“Our hearts are broken beyond words,” the GoFundMe description reads. “Nolan Xavier Wells was a beloved son, grandson, brother, friend, and teammate whose life touched so many lives. His smile, kind heart, and love for others left a lasting impact on all who knew him.” After a massive search involving countless volunteers, our worst fears became reality. There are no words to ease the pain of this unimaginable loss, but we are deeply grateful to everyone who searched, prayed, shared their stories, and stood by our family during these difficult days. ”
On Friday, during a press conference to discuss the latest information on Wells’ suspicious death, attorney Ben Crump announced that Tyler Perry has agreed to pay for the family’s funeral expenses, and Colin Kaepernick will pay for his own autopsy. The Rev. Al Sharpton, who attended the press conference, will officiate at Wells’ funeral.
Perry wrote on Instagram: “As a son of the South and someone who to this day wonders about the death of my nephew in a Louisiana prison, and who fought for years to get answers for Marcia Williams about what happened to her son Terrence in Florida. As a longtime advocate, I know what it’s like to not get the answers your loved ones desperately need. The pain is debilitating. It is my hope that Nolan’s parents and everyone who knew and loved him know the truth about what happened in Mississippi.”
According to Crump’s website, the current details of the incident are as follows: “Mr. Nolan traveled by boat to Horn Island on Saturday, July 4th with a group of friends to celebrate the holiday. According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Mr. Nolan She was last seen on the island around 3 p.m. and did not return with her group. That night, Nolan’s mother reported her missing, and local, state, and federal agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, and the National Park Service, attended. On the morning of Monday, July 6, U.S. park rangers discovered his body on the northwestern tip of the island, and Nolan was pronounced dead later that day. An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday, July 7th. Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said the investigation is ongoing and the cause of Nolan’s death has not yet been determined.
