Creep charged after dismembered body of missing Indiana teen Hailey Buzbee found in Ohio
The case of the Ohio man linked to the death of missing Indiana teen Hailey Buzbee has taken a disturbing turn, with federal prosecutors revealing chilling details of the events leading up to her tragic demise. Tyler Thomas, 39, has been charged with federal exploitation for allegedly luring the 17-year-old girl to his Ohio home, where he carried out sickening sexual acts before she was found dead.
Hailey Buzbee was last seen near her Fishers, Indiana, home on January 5th, and her dismembered body was discovered deep in the woods of Ohio on February 2nd. The investigation into her death is ongoing, with prosecutors working tirelessly to seek justice for Hailey and her family.
According to court documents, Thomas had been in contact with Hailey for over a year, exchanging disturbing messages and photos with the teen before driving approximately 160 miles from Columbus, Ohio, to Fortville, Indiana, to pick her up. Phone data allegedly placed Thomas at an Airbnb in Logan the night of the abduction, and near the North County Trail in Wayne National Forest the following morning, where Hailey’s remains were later found.
Authorities also uncovered evidence of Thomas attempting to cover his tracks by deleting incriminating messages and photos from his phone. Additional devices seized from his residence revealed obscene images of a young girl and disturbing conversations with another teen.
During a police interview, Thomas denied any involvement in Hailey’s death but provided investigators with the location of her burial site. He has been charged with pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor and evidence tampering.
As the federal case against Thomas progresses, state charges against him will be dropped. He is currently being held on a $1.5 million cash bond at Franklin County Jail. The community continues to mourn the loss of Hailey Buzbee, as authorities work diligently to bring her killer to justice.
