BuzzFeed CEO Byron Allen has explained why he donated $100,000 to the GoFundMe campaign supporting the family of Nolan Wells, saying he hopes the teenager’s loved ones receive the answers they deserve as the investigation into his death continues.
Allen, the media executive behind BuzzFeed, shared a brief statement with Variety after making the six figure donation to the fundraiser established by Wells’ family.
“My prayers are with this beautiful family during this very difficult time,” Allen said. “My hope is that Nolan Wells’ loved ones, and humanity, get all the answers that we deserve.”
The donation comes as public interest in the case continues to grow following the death of the 18 year old college football player, who disappeared during a Fourth of July boating trip to Horn Island off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast.
Wells was reported missing shortly after midnight on July 5 after failing to return from the outing with friends. His body was discovered near the island the following day after an extensive search.
As investigators continue working to determine what happened, Wells’ family is pursuing its own independent investigation while seeking additional answers about his final hours.
One area of focus remains Nolan’s cellphone.
His phone was recovered from the home of one of his friends on the evening of July 4 after relatives tracked its location using a phone locator app. The family has previously questioned whether photos, videos, or messages may have been deleted before the device was returned, prompting plans for a joint forensic examination involving both family experts and local authorities.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has said investigators have not found evidence of foul play and believe the teenager may have accidentally drowned, although officials have emphasized that the investigation remains active while the official autopsy and toxicology reports are still pending.
Representing the Wells family is civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Nolan’s death.
Following a recent meeting with Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath, Crump confirmed the case will be presented to a grand jury once investigators complete their work.
“The hope is that when this is presented to the grand jury, all relevant witnesses and evidence will be presented so we can have a fair and impartial investigation into the death of Nolan Wells,” Crump said.
Nolan’s mother, Christine Wonsley, has announced that funeral services will be held on July 20, asking everyone attending to remain peaceful, with security scheduled to be present throughout the funeral and celebration of life.
Rather than focusing only on grief, Wonsley said the family wants the gathering to honor Nolan’s personality and celebrate the life he lived.
Meanwhile, the GoFundMe campaign established to support funeral and memorial expenses has surpassed $700,000 in donations.
In a message posted on the fundraising page, Wonsley thanked supporters around the country for helping search for her son, sharing his story, and standing beside the family during one of the most difficult moments of their lives.
She said the funds will help cover funeral costs, memorial services, the celebration of Nolan’s life, and other expenses connected to honoring his memory, adding that her son will be “forever loved, forever remembered, never forgotten.”
