From The Tribune staff reports
WALKER COUNTY — The Walker County Sheriff’s Office announced investigators suspect foul play 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.
Buzbee was known to walk most places and frequented residents in west Jasper.
On Friday, Jan. 22, the sheriff’s office, along with volunteers, searched the area of Williams Road and Old Russellville Road and found some of Buzbee’s belongings.
“This ties in circumstantially to what we think may have happened, but it is not enough evidence to make an arrest at this point,” the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook. “Our person of interest, Christian Shanklin, came in to speak with us a couple days ago, but elected to speak with representation. Of course, this is his right to do.”
The sheriff’s office said Shanklin is now considered a suspect. Surveillance footage shows Shanklin may have been the last known person with Buzbee, investigators said.
If you have any information on what may have happened to 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.