Ohio Finds Hailey Buzbee’s Remains; Tyler Thomas Held on $1.5 Million Bond
Updated (5 articles)
Remains recovered and suspect cooperated with investigators Perry County officials announced on Feb 1 2026 that they had recovered human remains believed to be those of 17‑year‑old Hailey Buzbee, and the next day the Hocking County Sheriff confirmed the burial site after suspect Tyler Thomas voluntarily led FBI and local officers to the location [1][4]. Thomas turned himself in on Sat Jan 31 2026 and worked with the FBI, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Forest Service to pinpoint the grave [1][5]. The remains were sent to the Licking County Coroner’s Office for autopsy, which has been completed but not yet released [1].
Charges focus on sexual‑exploitation material and high bond set A search warrant executed at Thomas’s Columbus home on Jan 21 2026 uncovered child sexual‑abuse material linking him to Buzbee, leading to a charge of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor [1][4][5]. He was arraigned in Franklin County Municipal Court on Mon Feb 3 2026, where a $1.5 million cash bond was imposed and he was released pending further investigation [1][4][5]. No homicide charge has been filed yet, though investigators say additional charges are expected as evidence is reviewed [1][4].
Investigation traced disappearance from Indiana to Ohio rental site Buzbee was reported missing from Fishers, Indiana on Jan 6 2026 after leaving home on Jan 5, and Columbus police began assisting Fishers detectives on Jan 16 2026 [1][3]. Digital forensics linked Thomas and Buzbee through an online gaming platform, and detectives identified a short‑term rental in Hocking County where they believe the teen was killed [3][4][5]. Multiple agencies—including the Columbus Division of Police, Hocking and Perry County sheriffs, and the FBI—have coordinated the search and evidence collection [1][4][5].
Legislative push for “Pink Alert” follows teen’s death Hailey’s father, Beau Buzbee, is urging Indiana lawmakers to adopt “Hailey’s Law,” a proposal for a Pink Alert system that would trigger for grooming‑related disappearances not covered by Amber or Silver alerts [2][3]. The petition has gathered over 41,000 signatures, and Indiana officials are reviewing the measure while Ohio monitors the proposal after recently passing Braden’s Law [2][3]. Law enforcement agencies emphasize “stop, block, report” guidance for families to combat online predators [2].
Sources
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1.
WBNS: Columbus suspect leads investigators to teen’s buried remains in Perry County: Details the discovery of Buzbee’s remains, Thomas’s cooperation, and pending autopsy results .
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2.
WBNS: Indiana Teen’s Death Revives Push for Online‑Safety Alerts: Highlights the cyber‑tip task force, surge in online tips, and the push for “Hailey’s Law” and a Pink Alert .
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3.
Newsweek: Indiana Pushes for “Pink Alert” After Teen’s Disappearance: Covers the missing‑person timeline, online‑gaming link, petition for legislative change, and community response .
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4.
WBNS: Remains of Indiana Teen Found in Ohio; Suspect Held on $1.5 Million Bond: Reports the recovery of remains, Thomas’s charge and bond, and inter‑agency collaboration .
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5.
WBNS: Remains of Missing Indiana Teen Identified in Ohio; Suspect Held on $1.5 Million Bond: Reiterates identification of remains, details of the Jan 21 warrant, and Thomas’s ongoing cooperation with investigators .
Timeline
Jan 5, 2026 – Hailey Buzbee, 17, leaves her Fishers, Indiana home and disappears, prompting her family to begin a missing‑person search. [1]
Jan 6, 2026 – Her parents report her missing; Fishers police open an investigation the next day, marking the official start of law‑enforcement involvement. [1]
Jan 16, 2026 – Columbus, Ohio police join the Fishers detectives, expanding the probe across state lines after the teen’s online‑gaming profile is traced to a Columbus resident. [2]
Jan 21, 2026 – A search warrant at suspect Tyler Thomas’s Columbus home uncovers child sexual‑exploitation material linking him to Buzbee and reveals a short‑term rental in Hocking County where detectives believe she was killed; investigators also note an unknown vehicle near her neighborhood. [2][4][5]
Feb 1, 2026 – Ohio officials announce that remains recovered in Perry County are believed to be Buzbee’s, confirming the location of the missing teen after a multi‑agency effort. [4][5]
Feb 2, 2026 – Tyler Thomas is arraigned on a charge of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, ordered to post a $1.5 million bond, and voluntarily cooperates with the FBI and local agencies to locate the remains. [4][5]
Feb 2, 2026 – A Change.org petition for “Hailey’s Law” gathers over 41,000 signatures, calling for a new “Pink Alert” system for grooming‑related disappearances and mandatory predator‑awareness education; Hailey’s father Beau Buzbee says his daughter was “smart, beautiful, kind” and urges public backing. [1]
Feb 2, 2026 – Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart affirms continued assistance to Ohio authorities, while Mayor Scott Fadness states officials believe Buzbee is dead, underscoring the grim outlook of the case. [1]
Feb 3, 2026 – Hocking County Sheriff confirms investigators have located the burial site in Perry County, and the Licking County Coroner’s Office completes an autopsy pending public release. [2]
Feb 3, 2026 – Franklin County ICAC Task Force Sgt. Joe Smith urges families to “stop, block, report” suspicious online contacts, highlighting a 70 % annual rise in cyber tips from 2018‑2023 and roughly 860 tips per year in 2024‑2025. [3]
Feb 3, 2026 – Ohio Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio notes the state’s recent passage of Braden’s Law and ongoing debates about parental notification for app downloads, saying she is watching Indiana’s “Pink Alert” proposal to determine if similar measures are needed. [3]
Feb 3, 2026 – Indiana legislators are expected to consider “Hailey’s Law” and the Pink Alert tier during the 2026 legislative session, aiming to close the gap left by Amber and Silver alerts for cases involving online grooming. [1][3]