Summer Wells

On the evening of June 15, 2021, five-year-old Summer Moon-Utah Wells disappeared from the yard of her family's home on Beech Creek Road in rural Hawkins County, Tennessee, in the Appalachian foothills. Her mother, Candus Wells, said she and Summer had been planting flowers in the garden and that Summer went to play in the yard. When Candus checked on her minutes later, she was gone.

The rugged, heavily wooded terrain of Hawkins County made the search extremely challenging. Hundreds of searchers, including law enforcement, volunteers, dogs, helicopters, and drones, combed the mountainous area. Nearby creeks and rivers were searched. The difficult terrain raised the possibility that Summer could have wandered into the dense woods and become lost, but no trace of her was found.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation led the case, with assistance from the FBI and other agencies. The investigation examined both the possibility of abduction and the circumstances at the family home. Summer's parents, Don and Candus Wells, were interviewed extensively. The family had prior involvement with child protective services, and the case drew public scrutiny of the home environment.

Despite years of investigation and thousands of tips, Summer Wells has not been found. No arrests have been made. The TBI has described the case as an active, ongoing investigation. Summer's disappearance from a remote, rural setting with limited surveillance or witnesses has made it one of the most challenging missing child cases in recent years.