Retired NFL Star Terrell Owens Adds $25K Reward for Nolan Wells’ Death Investigation, Bringing Total to $125K
Retired NFL Star Terrell Owens Adds $25K Reward for Nolan Wells’ Death Investigation, Bringing Total to $125K
David Chiu, Janelle GriffithTue, July 21, 2026 at 5:56 PM UTC
0
(L-R) Terrell Owens and Nolan WellsCredit: Chris Haston/NBC via Getty; GoFundMe -
Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens donated $25,000 to a reward fund for information leading to an arrest and conviction in connection with Nolan Wells’ death, attorney Benjamin Crump said
Owens joins Rev. Al Sharpton and Tyler Perry, each of whom contributed $50,000 to the reward fund
“We urge anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward,” Crump said in a statement
The reward fund for information related to the death of Nolan Wells — the 18-year-old college student who vanished from Mississippi’s Horn Island during a Fourth of July celebration and was found dead two days later — has now reached a total of $125,000 after a donation from retired NFL star Terrell Owens.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer contributed $25,000 to the fund for information leading to an arrest and conviction in connection to Wells’ death, said Benjamin Crump, the attorney representing Wells’ family, in a Tuesday, July 21, news released obtained by PEOPLE.
Owens joins Rev. Al Sharpton and filmmaker Tyler Perry, each of whom donated $50,000.
“We are deeply grateful to Terrell Owens, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Tyler Perry for standing with Nolan Wells’ family in their pursuit of truth and justice,” Crump said in the release. “Their generosity and unwavering support send a powerful message that this tragedy will not be swept under the rug and that we will not stop until the truth is uncovered and justice is served.”
Wells, a football player, was reported missing hours after he traveled with a group of friends to the barrier island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast on the Fourth of July.
His body was discovered on the northwest end of the island two days later.
Despite numerous witnesses who presumably saw Wells, much remains unknown about his final hours. There have also been conflicting accounts about whether he wanted to remain on the island after his friends needed to leave because of an issue with their boat, as some have said.
Advertisement
Attendees from the party that day have described a raucous event that drew hundreds.
Wells’ parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley, believe it is uncharacteristic for him to separate from his group, especially because he didn’t have his phone with him at the time.
An official and outside investigation are ongoing; the official and independent autopsies are also pending. Authorities have said Wells could have drowned, but his family has disputed the speculation until more information is available.
Wells’ funeral was held Monday, July 20, at Center Pointe Church in Ocean Springs, Miss., where Sharpton delivered a eulogy and announced his donation. Perry, who helped pay for Wells’ memorial, immediately matched that amount.
— sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“Someone knows what happened to Nolan on Horn Island,” Crump said in his Tuesday statement about Owens’ donation. “We urge anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward. This reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction because Nolan’s family deserves the truth, and those responsible must be held accountable.”
Those with information about Wells that could help the case are urged to call 888-991-1772, Crump said.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
