Investigators this week followed up on a lead in the four-year-old case of Summer Wells, the Tennessee girl who vanished from her Hawkins County home when she was 5 years old.
A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesperson told WJHL that its agents and detectives were at a rural location about 10 miles from the girl’s home on Thursday. TBI wouldn’t provide any further information other than to say they follow up on leads as they come in and the investigation remains active, as is an Amber Alert issued at the time of the disappearance.
Summer’s parents, Don Wells and Candus Bly, declined to speak with media about the news.
“We are waiting for a statement from the TBI,” the couple said in a social media post. “Otherwise it is just more drama, and stirred pain, so there is nothing to say. Thank You to law enforcement’s continued work to solve Summer’s Case.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Summer’s parents have both said they believe she was kidnapped, though a spokesperson for TBI said that investigators have not found any evidence that Summer was abducted.
She was reportedly last seen walking away from her home off of Bell Hill Road on June 15, 2021. Despite exhaustive efforts, no suspects have been formally named and Summer remains missing.
TBI said that investigators have not ruled out foul play.
In August, TBI released age-progressed photos of Summer, who would now be 9 years old.
Anyone with information is urged to call 1-800-TBI-FIND.
Read more from CrimeOnline about the Summer Wells case.
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[Featured image: Summer Wells, age progressed (left) and at 5 years old/Tennessee Bureau of Investigation]
