Suspect in custody after leading police to remains of missing 17-year-old girl he met online gaming

PERRY COUNTY, Ohio (TCN) -- The remains of a 17-year-old girl who went missing in January have been recovered and a 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with her death.

WTHR reports police were called Jan. 6 to the Fishers, Indiana, home of Hailey Buzbee by her parents, who said she had gone missing overnight. Within days of her disappearance, officers identified an unknown vehicle that had been in her neighborhood on the night she was last seen. They identified Ohio resident Tyler Thomas as a suspect.

Thomas reportedly told officers who contacted him in Ohio that he dropped Buzbee off on the side of the road. Officers determined this was false after they executed search warrants at his home and at a short-term rental property, both in Ohio. WTHR reports child sex abuse material featuring Buzbee was allegedly found on Thomas’ devices inside his home.

Court records obtained by WSYX allege Thomas tried to delete a video of Buzbee performing sexual acts from his cellphone.

Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart said Buzbee and Thomas are believed to have met via online gaming, WHTR reports. 

WBNS reports Thomas turned himself in on Jan. 31. He was charged with pandering sexual oriented matter involving a minor and evidence tampering and was given a $1.5 million bond at his arraignment on Feb. 2. Thomas reportedly worked with the FBI and other officials to locate Buzbee’s remains.

Columbus Division of Police Sgt. Joe Albert said Thomas has not been charged with Buzbee’s killing, but the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office is expected to bring additional charges, according to WBNS.

In a tribute to his daughter on Facebook, Beau Buzbee wrote, “Hailey was a smart, beautiful, kind, and caring young lady with a bright future. She had a deep love for her family and holds a very special place in so many hearts. Our family is devastated.”

According to WHTR, Thomas’ next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 10. 

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