Human remains found in Wayne National Forest in Perry County have been confirmed as those of the 17‑year‑old Indiana girl who went missing in January, according to the attorney for a Columbus man facing charges connected to her death.
Sam Shamansky, the attorney representing Tyler N. Thomas, 39, of Victorian Village, told The Dispatch on Feb. 6 that the Perry County Coroner’s Office has confirmed that the remains are those of Hailey Buzbee. The confirmation is based on an autopsy performed by the Licking County Coroner’s Office.
Thomas faces charges in Franklin County Municipal Court of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor and tampering with evidence after police allege in court records that a search of Thomas’ cell phone found sexually oriented videos and photos of Buzbee, some of which they allege Thomas tried to delete.
As of Feb. 7, Thomas remained in the Franklin County Jail on a $1.5 million bond, and more charges could follow as the investigation continues.
Shamansky said that on Feb. 1, Thomas led the FBI to Buzbee’s body, which authorities have said was found in a wooded area off the New Straitsville Trailhead to Wayne National Forest.
Buzbee had been missing from Fishers, Indiana, since the night of Jan. 5. She is believed to have met Thomas through an online gaming platform and voluntarily left her home to meet him early Jan. 6. Police in the northern Indianapolis suburb said they traced a vehicle in the area at the time Buzbee left her home back to Thomas.
Columbus police said in a statement that detectives began assisting Fishers police Jan. 16 by speaking with Thomas at his home. Columbus detectives helped search Thomas’ home for electronic devices but have not played a leading role in the investigation.
The Hocking County Sheriff’s Office searched a short-term rental where Thomas is believed to have taken Buzbee after being at his Columbus home. The FBI has also been involved in the investigation.
Celebration of life for Hailey Buzbee set for Feb. 12 in Indiana
Buzbee’s family will celebrate her life Feb. 12 at the ITOWN Church, 12491 E. 136th St., Fishers, Indiana. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and the event will begin at 6 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear Hailey’s favorite color, pink.
“Though her time was brief, Hailey filled each day with love, purpose, and joy,” her family wrote in her obituary. “Hailey was a dedicated student and working towards a career in Journalism. Family, friends, and those who crossed paths with Hailey remember her sweet spirit.”
Buzbee, a student at Hamilton Southeastern High School who worked at The Kitchen on Main in Fortville, Indiana, as a server, “loved music, books, and spending time with her family,” according to her obituary.
She is survived by her father, Beau Buzbee; stepmother, Ronya Buzbee; mother, Lindsey Simmons; sister, Sabriya Buzbee; brother, Elijah Ratcliff; and extended family.