Still Missing: What Happened to Sebastian Rogers?
This week marks the grim anniversary of a teen boy vanishing from Middle Tennessee, leaving his family and community with an unforgettable mystery. One year later, Sebastian Rogers is still missing.
- Name: Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers
- Last Seen: February 25, 2024
- Missing From: Hendersonville, Tennessee
- Current Age: 16 (15 at time of disappearance)
- Height: 5’5″ (at time of disappearance)
- Weight: 120 lbs (at time of disappearance)
- Hair: Blond/Brown
- Eyes: Brown/Hazel
WHO IS SEBASTIAN ROGERS?
Sebastian Rogers resided in the Stafford Court neighborhood in Hendersonville, Tennessee, roughly 18 miles northeast of Nashville.
📸: CourtTV
The teen lived with his mom and stepfather – Katie and Chris Proudfoot – and attended Beech High School. While Katie had custody of Sebastian, he regularly visited with his father, Seth Rogers, after he and Katie had divorced years prior.
Sebastian’s parents say that he had previously been diagnosed with autism and 6Q27 chromosomal deletion syndrome, a rare condition that can impact development and behavior.
Katie has described her son as very smart and not prone to mischief.
SEBASTIAN GOES MISSING
On the evening of Sunday, February 25, 2024, Katie says that Sebastian went to bed in preparation for school the next morning. Katie reported hearing a “thud” sound from Sebastian’s room around 10 p.m., and she told him to go to sleep.
The next morning, Katie says she went to wake Sebastian for school around 6 a.m., but he was not in bed.
According to CourtTV, Katie’s husband Chris was not at home at the time, and Sebastian’s father, Seth, was at work approximately 45 minutes away. NewsNation reports that after an unsuccessful search of the home, Katie contacted local authorities.
Several media outlets reported that his shoes and personal belongings were still at the home.
THE SEARCH BEGINS
The morning of February 26, 2024, the Sumer County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation regarding Sebastian’s missing report, and an Endangered Child Alert was issued.
The alert stated he was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt and black sweatpants, with black glasses. NewsNation reports that more than 200 searchers combed the area that day, along with K-9 units, drones, and helicopters.
On February 27, 2024, authorities then issued an Amber Alert for Sebastian – an indication that investigators believe an abduction could be involved.
Search efforts would continue near the Rogers’ home, with police using Sebastian’s favorite song, “Eye of the Tiger,” in attempts to lure him. Neighbors were also asked to check security and doorbell footage for clues.
According to CourtTV, K-9 units also had multiple hits on a nearby retention pond, however the pond was drained to reveal no signs of Sebastian.
📸: CourtTV
On March 7, the search led authorities to a landfill in Kentucky where the Rogers’ neighborhood’s trash was taken, which was said to be done as a precaution and not due to any specific evidence.
On March 14, WTVF obtained security footage from a nearby home, which showed activity in the area around 3 a.m. the night Sebastian went missing, in the form of what appeared to be lights or a light source moving around. However, the video was unclear and did not seem to lead to any breakthroughs in the case.
On March 21, NewsNation reports that Sebastian’s father Seth organized a search of Natchez Trace State Park due to a tip suggesting the family do so, however nothing was found.
On April 2, investigators confirmed a pair of glasses had been found during the course of the investigation, but they could not definitively confirm they belonged to Sebastian.
The search sparked national attention, gaining the interest of Duane Chapman — better known as Dog the Bounty Hunter. Chapman vowed to join the search and has continued to provide updates throughout the process.
DOG NATION! Do You See Something? Sebastian Rogers Vanished Nearly 1 Year Ago. HELP US FIND HIM!!! https://t.co/eywzU5p2qW via @YouTube
— Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) February 22, 2025
Additionally, NewsNation reports that the United Cajun Navy also briefly joined the search before later pulling out, citing threats made towards volunteers as the reason for suspending operations.
The TBI has stated that while no suspects have been cleared, they have no evidence of criminal activity.
According to Chapman, a reward of up to $250,000 is currently being offered for information that leads to Sebastian’s recovery.
THE SEARCH CONTINUES
A year later to the day, the question still remains: What happened to Sebastian?
During the course of the search, authorities have investigated several failed leads and numerous tips that have allegedly been debunked.
The attention on the case has also led to extra strain on the family, with speculation bringing up allegations of abuse, tense custody battles, and concerning disciplinary actions.
WKRN also reports that Sebastian’s mother, Katie, obtained a temporary order of protection against a YouTuber known as “Bullhorn Betty,” who was investigating Sebastian’s disappearance and allegedly stalking and harassing the family.
📸: Chris & Katie Proudfoot (WSMV)
Sebastian’s biological father, Seth, has remained very active in the search, interviewing with several outlets over the last year and reportedly hiring a private investigator. Seth has noted that it’s not typical for Sebastian to wander off, and that he would have never willingly left the home barefoot due to a past experience.
Seth has stated that he doesn’t want his son to become a cold case.
📸: Sebastian & Seth (WCYB)
In December 2024, he interviewed with WKRN, stating: “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.”
On Monday, February 24, WSMV4 reported that private investigator Steve Fischer believes a new video “could help break the case,” which appears to show a person in dark clothing walking in Sebastian’s neighborhood shortly after midnight, just hours after Sebastian was last seen. However, the outlet says they reached out to authorities regarding the video, who stated that the video had already been reviewed and it was determined it was not relevant to the case.
Authorities have recently reiterated that the case remains an active investigation.
If anyone sees Sebastian or knows of his whereabouts, contact the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office at (615) 451-3838, or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
