Ohio man leads investigators to remains believed to be missing 17-year-old girl
An Ohio man considered a suspect in the disappearance of a 17-year-old girl from Indiana led investigators to what are believed to be her remains, the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office announced this week.
The sheriff’s office said that on Feb. 1, 39-year-old Tyler Thomas, who is incarcerated in Franklin County, led investigators to a location in Perry County where he said he had buried 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee.
Buzbee was reported missing to police in Fishers, Indiana, on Jan. 6. The sheriff’s office said the investigation led to Columbus, where Thomas lives. According to CBS Indianapolis affiliate WTTV, Thomas had initially met Buzbee through online gaming.
Thomas allegedly admitted to picking Buzbee up, though he said he later dropped her off on the side of the road in western Ohio. However, as the investigation continued, the sheriff’s office said authorities determined Thomas wasn’t telling the truth.
After searching Thomas’ property, investigators said they found evidence that led to charges of pandering obscenity involving a minor and tampering with evidence.
On Sunday, Thomas led several agencies, including the FBI, to Perry County, where the sheriff’s office said remains believed to be Buzbee’s were found. They were sent to the Licking County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy and identification.
The day after, detectives with the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office carried out a search warrant at a short-term rental property that had been connected to Thomas. During their search, the sheriff’s office said they recovered forensic evidence that may indicate a crime happened there.
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In a statement on Wednesday, the FBI’s Cincinnati office confirmed it was involved in the investigation and offered condolences to Buzbee’s family.
“The investigation is being driven by the pursuit of justice for Hailey,” the FBI said. “Due to the many locations and jurisdictions involved, as well as the ongoing nature of the investigation, there is not a timeline for when more information can be released. This is dependent on where the facts and evidence lead and any resulting charges that may be filed.”
PHONE OUT OF BATTERY. SEARCH OVER. Authorities said Hailey Buzbee’s body was found days after her last known contact through an online game. Forensic teams recovered a backpack near the scene – an item her family said she never left home without
The tragic case of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee from Fishers, Indiana, has ended in heartbreak, highlighting the deadly risks of online grooming through gaming platforms. Hailey was reported missing on January 6, 2026, after last being seen leaving her home in the Enclave at Vermillion neighborhood late on January 5. Initially treated as a possible runaway, the investigation quickly shifted when evidence pointed to foul play.
Authorities determined that Hailey had been in contact with 39-year-old Tyler Thomas of Columbus, Ohio, whom she met through an online gaming platform. The two communicated for an unspecified period before she arranged to meet him in person. Police tracked an unfamiliar vehicle in her neighborhood back to Thomas, who admitted to picking her up from her home that night. He initially claimed to have dropped her off on the side of a road in western Ohio, but investigators deemed this account false.
The search intensified into a multi-state effort involving the Fishers Police Department, FBI, and other agencies. On February 1, 2026, Thomas was taken into custody in Franklin County, Ohio. He reportedly cooperated with authorities, leading the FBI to the location of remains in Wayne National Forest near a trailhead in Perry County, Ohio—specifically around the New Straitsville area. The Perry County Coroner’s Office, with assistance from the Licking County Coroner’s Office autopsy, confirmed the remains as those of Hailey Buzbee.
The discovery came after her phone went dead shortly after her departure, cutting off digital contact and complicating early tracking efforts. Her last known communications were tied to the online gaming interactions with Thomas. Forensic teams recovered evidence at the scene, including a backpack—described by her family as an item she never left home without. This pink Vera Bradley duffle bag (or similar personal item) had been noted in initial missing person alerts, where she was last seen wearing a white blouse, gray jeans, black puffer jacket, and carrying the bag. Its presence near the recovery site served as a poignant confirmation for investigators and devastated loved ones.
Court records indicate Thomas faced initial charges including pandering obscenity involving a minor, related to sexually explicit photographs and videos of Hailey found on his phone—some of which he attempted to delete. While no murder charge has been publicly filed as of early February 2026, the case remains active, with authorities indicating further charges could follow based on ongoing forensic analysis and evidence from the scene. Thomas appeared in court with a $1.5 million bond and restrictions including no internet access and no contact with the victim’s family.
Hailey’s family described her as “smart, beautiful, kind,” a passionate broadcast journalism student and dedicated server at a local restaurant where she worked for nearly 16 months. Her father shared heartfelt tributes online, and the community rallied with missing person flyers and support. The tragedy has sparked widespread calls for reform. A petition for “Hailey’s Law” has gained thousands of signatures, advocating for a “Pink Alert” system in Indiana to notify the public of missing persons cases involving credible risk, even when they don’t meet Amber or Silver Alert criteria. Advocates argue the initial runaway classification delayed broader alerts and response.
The case has also renewed warnings about online safety. Investigators confirmed the grooming began via gaming—platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, Discord, or similar apps where predators exploit chat features to build trust. Survivors and experts, including internet abduction survivor Alicia Kozak, have pushed for “Alicia’s Law” to mandate grooming awareness education in schools and stricter platform safeguards. Parents are urged to monitor gaming interactions, enable parental controls, and discuss stranger danger in virtual spaces.
Hailey’s death underscores a chilling reality: what starts as innocent online play can escalate to real-world harm when predators exploit vulnerability. Her family and community mourn a vibrant young life cut short, while the investigation continues toward justice. Authorities emphasize the importance of vigilance in digital spaces to prevent similar tragedies.
