Coastal Community Mourns: OBX Resident Lost at Sea
April 15, 2025 — Outer Banks, NC — A deep sense of sorrow and disbelief hangs over the tight-knit coastal community of the Outer Banks (OBX) after a beloved local resident was reported lost at sea late Monday evening. The incident has left residents in shock as search and rescue operations continue off the North Carolina coast.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that 32-year-old Thomas “Tommy” Wells, a longtime resident of Nags Head and experienced fisherman, went missing while on a solo fishing trip near Oregon Inlet. His boat was discovered adrift early Tuesday morning with no one aboard and his personal belongings still intact. Weather conditions at the time were reported to be calm, adding to the mystery surrounding his disappearance.
According to his family, Tommy had set out early Monday for what was supposed to be a routine afternoon on the water — something he’d done countless times before. “This was his life, being out there on the ocean,” said his sister, Megan Wells, holding back tears. “We’re devastated. We don’t understand how this could’ve happened.”
Local officials and Coast Guard crews launched an extensive search operation shortly after the abandoned vessel was found, deploying boats, helicopters, and drones to scan the surrounding waters. As of Tuesday evening, no further signs of Tommy have been found, though efforts are continuing into the night.
“Our teams are doing everything possible to bring him home,” said Coast Guard Petty Officer Samuel Rhodes. “Every hour that passes makes the search more difficult, but we haven’t given up hope.”
News of Tommy’s disappearance has shaken the OBX community, where he was widely known and loved. Residents gathered at the Nags Head pier this afternoon for a candlelight vigil, offering prayers and sharing memories of a man remembered for his kindness, humor, and deep connection to the sea.
“Tommy wasn’t just a fisherman — he was a friend to everyone in this town,” said longtime neighbor Carl Dunley. “He’d give you the shirt off his back and then ask if you needed a meal too. This whole community is grieving.”
The Outer Banks, famous for its scenic coastline and maritime culture, has seen its share of tragedies at sea, but the loss of someone so rooted in the community hits especially hard. Many are rallying around the Wells family, offering meals, support, and organizing donation drives to assist with search efforts and any future memorial arrangements.
Officials urge anyone who may have been in the area or seen Tommy’s boat Monday evening to come forward with any information that might aid the investigation.
As night falls over the Atlantic, hope remains that Tommy may still be found. But even as the search presses on, the reality of the potential loss is sinking in for many. Flags fly at half-staff along the waterfront, and the usual buzz of the docks has fallen into a somber silence.
“This community is strong, but this one hurts,” said local pastor Ellen Graves. “We’re holding on to faith, and holding each other close.”
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