Tamala Wells, 33: Last Seen Driving Away From Detroit Home In 2012
It has been over a decade since Tamala Wells went missing from Detroit. She was said to have been last seen at her home in the 19700 block of Appleton or Appoline Street at approximately 9:30 p.m. on August 6, 2012. At the time, Tamala lived with her boyfriend of 17 years, Rickey Tennant, and reports stated that she was the mother of two children. Tennant is said to have seen Tamala driving away from their residence in her four-door Pontiac Grand Prix (white with black bumpers). At about 10:30 p.m., an hour or so later, Tamala spoke on the phone with her mother, who lives in Florida, Donna Davis. That was the last time anyone had contact with Tamala.
A Little Girl Looks For Her Mother
The following morning, Tamala’s six-year-old daughter called her grandmother to say the 33-year-old never returned home the night before. The concern set in, and Donna didn’t take long to fire off calls to her daughter. By that evening, those unanswered calls went to voicemail, and Donna was on the next flight to Detroit. A search ensued, but there was no sign of Tamala Wells.
According to the Disappeared website, Tamala acted strangely on the evening she disappeared. She told Tennant she had to go somewhere but didn’t offer details regarding the location or who she may have been meeting with. Tennant reportedly told the authorities that Tamala was known to have her girls’ nights with friends during the week, but she wouldn’t abandon her children. He was said to have also taken a polygraph test but failed. Tennant has not been named as an official suspect in the case, and he has denied any responsibility for Tamala going missing. He went on to become their daughter’s primary caregiver.
Tamala’s Vehicle Was Located
To add more mystery to this case, days after Tamala vanished, her vehicle was located by Tennant after he claims a friend spotted the car. According to Tennant, the vehicle was not far from Tamala’s home and only had a few minor items missing. Still, when police responded to the scene, they reportedly stated that Tennant’s inspection destroyed any potential evidence that could have been collected.
A Look Into Tamala’s Background
Tamala Wells was reportedly a healthcare worker from a large family, as she was one of six children. There may be a cash reward for information in this case. It is reported that there are no signs that a crime has been committed, but Tamala’s family refutes any belief that she would walk away from her life or children without a trace.
In 2021, community activist Minister Malik Shabazz claimed he received an anonymous tip that Tamala Wells was at an Eaton, Michigan home on Indiana Street. Authorities shared with Fox 2 Detroit that any “viable tips” would be adequately investigated.
“They gave us some information about this house, before it was firebombed and abandoned, and Tamala allegedly being here, maybe a year and a half ago,” said Shabazz. “Maybe someone knows something.”
A Mother Continues The Search
In an interview with ClickOnDetroit in 2021, Tamala’s mother, Donna added, “Every day, I get through with the grace of God. I wake up saying, ‘Lord. This is the day that you made and I’m gonna be joyful in it. I’m gonna do everything that you desire me to do because I know that today the answer is coming.'” She has made several trips over the years from her home in Florida to Detroit to search through abandoned houses and neighborhoods, searching for her missing child.
“The worst part is not knowing. You know? There’s a lot of people losing their loved ones to diseases, gunshots, all of that. At least. And my heart goes out to them, I’m passionate. Because no one deserves to be taken from life. But at least they know where their loved one is. And I don’t. I don’t know. And that’s the hardest part,” Donna said.
Tamala Wells: What To Know
At the time of her disappearance, Tamala Wells stood between 5 feet 1 inch to 5 feet 6 inches tall (some reports say 5 feet 4 inches) and weighed 150 to 180 pounds. She had black/dark brown hair (styled just below her shoulders, worn in microbraids) and brown eyes. Her middle name is “Niecole,” her ears are pierced, she has a scar under her chin and on the left side of her forehead, and she wears acrylic nails. She was last seen wearing a white shirt, blue jean shorts with a cuff, and earrings. She would be 43 years old at the time of this publication.
To receive updates about this case and to find more ways to help, please visit the Help Find Tamala “Nikki” Wells Facebook Page.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Detroit Police Department at (313) 596-1800, Crime Stoppers of Michigan – Shirley Schuler, 313-922-5000 x 14 or shirley@michiganalliance.org, or their local authorities. The agency case number is 1208090234.
Please share this story about Tamala Wells to help raise awareness about her missing person case. She is our sister, and her life matters.
[via][via][via][via]
