‘Go touch some grass’: Nolan Wells’ mom says she’s receiving hate mail after the death of her son

‘Go touch some grass’: Nolan Wells’ mom says she’s receiving hate mail after the death of her son

(Gray News) - Nolan Wells’ mom says she’s receiving hate mail after the death of her 18-year-old son in Mississippi.

Almost two weeks after Wells’ death, his mother, Christine Wonsley, has responded to mail from an anonymous sender.

“Whoever sent this to my home, may the good Lord have mercy on your soul,” Wonsley wrote on Facebook. “Bold enough to send this crap but not bold enough to list your return address,” she continued.

The mail appeared to be an emotional photo of her at a news conference with her husband, Elmore Wonsley, as the Rev. Al Sharpton and her family’s attorney, Ben Crump, placed their hands on her shoulders in support.

The sender illustrated on the photo arrows coming from Crump’s and Sharpton’s eyes that pointed toward Wonsley. Next to the arrows, the sender drew multiple dollar signs.

“This is America where a grieving mother and father have to deal with this type of behavior because we asked a simple question of what happened to our son and accepted all the help we could get to find answers,” she wrote on Facebook. “Please go touch some grass.”

Wells went missing during a July 4 trip to Horn Island in Mississippi.

Tracestin Shepherd, a friend of Wells, said in an ABC interview that their friend group had been drinking since the late morning after multiple boats carrying them arrived on Horn Island. The outing was planned as “one last hurrah” before returning to school or work after the holiday break.

Shepherd said that Wells remained on Horn Island after meeting a young woman earlier that day, while the others returned to the mainland by boat.

Two days later, Wells was found dead on the island.

Many have been awaiting the results of Wells’ autopsy. Toxicology testing is conducted by outside laboratories, and the analysis and review process can take several weeks.

A spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety said, “Every case is unique and deserves a thorough review; therefore, cases cannot all be handled the same way or on the same timeline.”

Results from an independent autopsy commissioned by the Wells family were expected to be released Friday, July 10. However, attorney Ben Crump said results were delayed due to issues transporting Wells’ body.

The funeral services for Wells are scheduled for Monday, July 20.

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