Nolan Wells Reward Reaches $100,000 After Al Sharpton and Tyler Perry Pledge Support
Rev. Al Sharpton and filmmaker Tyler Perry have pledged a combined $100,000 reward for information that could help investigators determine what happened to 18-year-old Nolan Wells.
Sharpton announced an initial $50,000 reward Monday while delivering the eulogy at Wells’ funeral service. Perry quickly agreed to match the amount, doubling the potential reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
The announcement came as Wells’ relatives, friends and supporters gathered to lay the teenager to rest and renew demands for a full investigation into his death.
Sharpton Responds to Criticism With $50,000 Pledge
During the service, Sharpton addressed critics who accused him and civil rights attorney Ben Crump of becoming involved in the case for financial reasons.
“I’m so inspired by who’s accused us of that, that I want to put up a reward of $50,000 for anybody who could give the information that will lead to an arrest and a conviction in the case of what happened,” Sharpton said.
“He was not on that island by himself. Somebody saw something and knows something,” he continued. “So I didn’t come to make money. I came to give money. Stand up and tell the truth. Whatever it is, good or bad.”
Sharpton said anyone with information could contact Crump’s office or the National Action Network.
“We’re not gonna prejudge it, but we cannot end it until we know all the facts,” Sharpton said. “I guarantee you, you’ll have it before the sun goes down.”
Tyler Perry Matches Nolan Wells Reward
Moments after Sharpton announced the reward, he told mourners that Perry had contacted him and offered to contribute another $50,000.
“You know that Tyler Perry said he would pay for the funeral,” Sharpton said. “He must be watching because he said, ‘I’m gonna match you and put up $50,000 more.’ So we’re putting up $100,000 for anybody that’ll come forward.”
“We just want the truth. That’s all,” Sharpton added. “We just want the truth, and we want to thank Tyler Perry.”
Perry had previously offered to cover Wells’ funeral expenses as the teenager’s family continued seeking clarity about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Family Continues Search for Answers
Wells was reported missing after traveling to Horn Island, Mississippi, with friends during the Fourth of July weekend. His body was later discovered near the island. His parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley, and Crump have said they received conflicting accounts from people reportedly aboard the boat with Wells.
Sharpton urged anyone withholding information to consider their responsibility to the Wells family.
“Am I my brother’s keeper, or am I the keeper of some secret, some information, that you could give and won’t stand up?” he asked.
Sharpton also called on law enforcement officials to conduct an impartial and comprehensive investigation.
“We want a full and thorough investigation,” he said. “We don’t want nothing sugar coated either way. But for an 18-year-old young man to no longer be with us, we want answers. Not biased either way. Just answers.”
The reward is available for information that leads to an arrest and conviction connected to Wells’ death.
