Hailey Buzbee Remains Found: Indiana Teen Identified After Search in Ohio Forest
- COLUMBUS, Ohio — Authorities have confirmed that remains discovered in Wayne National Forest in Perry County, Ohio, are those of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee, who was reported missing from...
- The Hocking County Sheriff’s Office had previously announced the discovery of Buzbee’s remains in the forest.
- Tyler Thomas, 39, of Columbus, Ohio, has been identified by Fishers police as a suspect in the case.
Remains Found in Ohio Confirmed as Missing Indiana Teen Hailey Buzbee
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Authorities have confirmed that remains discovered in Wayne National Forest in Perry County, Ohio, are those of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee, who was reported missing from Fishers, Indiana, on January 6th. The confirmation came on Wednesday, following an autopsy report, according to Perry County Prosecuting Attorney Terry Rugg.
The Hocking County Sheriff’s Office had previously announced the discovery of Buzbee’s remains in the forest. The case has gripped communities across multiple states as investigators pieced together the events leading to her disappearance and, her death.
Tyler Thomas, 39, of Columbus, Ohio, has been identified by Fishers police as a suspect in the case. Investigators believe Buzbee left her home with Thomas the night before she was reported missing. Authorities have stated that Buzbee and Thomas initially met through online gaming.
The investigation expanded to include the Columbus Division of Police, who began assisting Fishers police on January 16th. Detectives uncovered evidence suggesting Buzbee had been at Thomas’s residence on Hunter Avenue in north Columbus. A subsequent search warrant executed on January 21st at Thomas’s home revealed child sexual abuse material involving Buzbee, leading to charges of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and tampering with evidence.
Further investigation led detectives to a short-term rental property in Hocking County, where they believe Buzbee was killed. Forensic evidence recovered from the rental property indicated a crime had occurred there, according to authorities.
Thomas reportedly turned himself in to police on Saturday and, according to his attorney Sam Shamansky, cooperated with law enforcement by leading them to the location where he had buried Buzbee’s remains. Agents from the FBI, Hocking and Perry sheriff’s offices, the U.S. Forest Service and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation were involved in the recovery of the remains.
Shamansky stated that Thomas intends to plead not guilty “if and when he’s charged with a homicide in this matter.” He also indicated that Thomas is cooperating with the investigation but maintains his innocence regarding Buzbee’s death.
The FBI released a statement on Wednesday acknowledging the complexity of the investigation, citing the multiple locations and jurisdictions involved. The agency indicated that there is currently no timeline for the release of further information.
The discovery of Buzbee’s remains brings a tragic end to the search and marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation. The case continues to be a priority for law enforcement agencies across Ohio and Indiana as they gather evidence and prepare for potential further charges.
Chazity Parglin, an employee at Little Italy Pizza in New Straitsville, Ohio, near where the remains were found, expressed shock at the news, stating, “Stuff happens, it’s scary. It’s not something you would expect to see in a smaller area like this.”
Thomas is currently being held in the Franklin County Jail on a $1.5 million bond.