From The Tribune staff reports
WALKER COUNTY — The Walker County Sheriff’s Office announced an award being offered for information in the disappearance of a woman.
Summer Lashay Buzbee, 23, was reported missing on Dec. 21, 2020. The sheriff’s office was initially told Buzbee was last seen on Dec. 17, but have since learned she was seen at a family member’s place of employment on Dec. 20. Investigators are also working to confirm an interaction between Buzbee and another person on Christmas Day. The sheriff’s office said the coronavirus pandemic is to blame for a lag in the investigation.
“Delays in the return of those requests for records have traditionally been occurring due to COVID related issues, including staffing at the subpoena compliance departments at the various organizations,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release Thursday.
Furthermore, the sheriff’s office said they don’t have enough information to conduct a physical search for Buzbee, but they did say Buzbee was known to walk most places and frequented residents in west Jasper.
Deputies are performing searches during patrol routes and checking areas for suspicious activities. They ask anyone searching to keep in mind the feelings of property owners and to gain consent before searching any area.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Buzbee, you are asked to call the Walker County Sheriff’s Office at (205) 302-6464. The $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to the location of Buzbee or information that leads to prosecution in connection to the case, although investigators said they do not have evidence pointing to foul play.
