NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The search for Sebastian Rogers has been one of the biggest mysteries of the year. Investigators have upped the reward money to find the missing teen. People have flooded social media with possible sightings. Still, Sebastian has yet to turn up as 2024 comes to a close.
Sebastian was last seen at his Hendersonville home 10 months ago and his disappearance has captivated Middle Tennessee.
Social media honed in on a person in a green hoodie seen on video near Sebastian at a Hendersonville restaurant the night before he went missing. The Sumner County Sheriff’s Office addressed the video earlier this month, writing, in part, “After a thorough discussion with this individual, there is no evidence linking them to Sebastian’s disappearance.”
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When Sebastian was reported missing on Feb. 26 from his Hendersonville home, several agencies spent more than a week searching, including a Kentucky landfill, with no sign of Sebastian.
“We are still committed to finding Sebastian and bringing him home safe. We have no leads, no details to indicate that Sebastian is not alive,” Sumner County Sheriff Eric Craddock said back in March.
In September, Duane Chapman — better known as “Dog the Bounty Hunter” — joined the search for Sebastian, adding star-power and a global audience to the search.
“Now that we have Dog’s team, he has a whole team of attorneys, lawyers, private investigators,” said Seth Rogers, Sebastian’s biological dad.
In November, there was a possible lead — someone reported seeing a boy who looked like Sebastian at a Goodlettsville motel. However, the sheriff’s office determined that sighting was in fact not Sebastian.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t Sebastian, but with that kind of movement and that kind of force, we’re going to find Sebastian,” said Seth.
Sebastian’s father spoke exclusively with News 2 on Dec. 7, Sebastian’s 16th birthday, saying law enforcement has given him renewed hope his son may one day be found.
“I thank the public for the support that they are giving me and that they continue to. Keep your eyes open. You can be the next person that might see him,” said Seth.
In November, the reward to find Sebastian increased to $200,000, but on Dec. 21, Chapman announced on social media platform X that the reward was up to $250,000.
Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers, 15, was reported missing on Monday, Feb. 26 from the Beech area in Hendersonville.
Sebastian Rogers: Description
Sebastian is 5 feet, 5 inches tall, 120 pounds with dirty blond hair. He was last seen on Monday, Feb. 26 near Stafford Court wearing a black sweatshirt and black sweatpants, said the TBI.
AMBER Alert Issued
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) originally issued an Endangered Child Alert for Sebastian on the morning of Feb. 26 as multiple agencies took to the area to look for him.
Based on additional investigative information developed during the search, the TBI issued an AMBER Alert for Sebastian on the afternoon of Feb. 27. An AMBER Alert is issued when there is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an abduction has occurred and the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death, per the DOJ.
Multiple agencies including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Nashville Fire Department, City of Hendersonville’s first responders, Sumner County Sheriff’s Office and Shackle Island Volunteer Fire have assisted in the search for Sebastian.
Who to Contact
If you have seen Sebastian or have info about his whereabouts, call the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office at (615) 451-3838 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
