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The Disappearance of Summer Wells
The Disappearance
Summer Wells disappeared from her home on Ben Hill Road in Rogersville, Tennessee on June 15, 2021. While exactly what happened is unclear, her mother said then-5 year old Summer was helping her mother and grandmother plant flowers or succulents in pots in front of her grandmother’s trailer which was located several yards from the front door of the Wells’ house. Her mother, Candus Bly, told Summer’s 3 brothers to, “watch Summer” while she helped her mother put on a knee brace. A local news station reported Summer was last seen walking down the stairs to the basement with her toys in hand.
While exactly how much time passed is unknown, when Candus returned to the house, Summer was no where to be found.
Her father, Donald Wells, later stated it is his belief that someone snuck up to the property and grabbed her.
The Search
Due to difficult terrain, various tech problems, and possibly the fact that the world was just beginning to come out of the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the early hours of the search experienced a variety of issues.
Hawkins County Sheriff, Ronnie Lawson, admitted he and his crew were struggling to communicate via radios and mobile phones while in the field, while Incident Commander of Ground Search, Tim Coop, advised the media they were not even soliciting volunteers due to the treacherous terrain.
“Due to the extreme terrain, the nature of this, trying to locate her, trained professionals [are] what we need at this time to make sure that these residents don’t become endangered … and expand this issue with having to search for somebody else.”
The TBI received well over 200 leads in the first 7 days, but investigators remained tight lipped, stating they had yet to rule out foul play, but they simultaneously lacked evidence of a crime.
Where the case stands today
As of the time of our writing on 30 July 2024, Summer Wells remains a missing endangered person. The TBI has worked 6,500 leads and tips to date, but Summer’s disappearance is still shrouded in confusion and mystery.
Her three brothers were removed from the Wells’ home several weeks following Summer’s disappearance. They remain in foster care, their parents ultimately making the decision to sign their parental rights over to the state.
Don Wells and Candus Bly no longer live at the home on Ben Hill Road where Summer was last seen on that hot June afternoon in 2021. Her father, Don, says he no longer searches for Summer.
“We've tried social media and that was a complete train wreck. I've tried going out and searching what little bit I could myself but that's tough too... so no, I don't search anymore. I wouldn't know where to search. She could be anywhere in the world,” he told WCYB during an interview that marked 3 years since Summer disappeared.
If you have first-hand knowledge or credible information concerning Summer Wells or her whereabouts, please contact 1.800.TBI.FIND.
Summer Utah-Moon Wells:
- Age: 5 (at the time of her disappearance)
- Sex: Female
- Race: White
- Hair: Blonde Eyes: Blue
- Height: 3′
- Weight: 40 lbs.
- NCIC: M476287498
- Missing From: Rogersville, Tennessee
- Missing Since: June 15, 2021