Federal grand jury indicts Columbus man for murder of Indiana teen
A federal grand jury today returned charges against Tyler Nike Thomas, 39, of Columbus, for crimes related to the disappearance and death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee. Thomas allegedly sexually exploited and murdered the Indiana teenager.
“Prosecutors from my office have worked diligently with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners over the past eight months to bring today’s charges forward, never losing sight of the pursuit of justice for Hailey Buzbee and her family,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “I want to assure the public that we will not waver as we see this case through. That diligent work, dedication, and commitment to justice will continue as this case proceeds.”
Court documents detail that Thomas allegedly met the teenage victim online playing video games including Roblox and League of Legends. As early as May 2024, Thomas allegedly attempted to entice the then 15-year-old victim to engage in sexual activity.
In January 2026, Thomas allegedly traveled from Columbus to Fortville, Indiana, during the overnight hours of Jan. 5 to Jan. 6 to pick up the victim and transport her back to Ohio with him, all with the intent to engage in prohibited sexual activity with the victim. The indictment alleges that he murdered the victim during the course of these offenses.
Cell phone analysis reveals Thomas allegedly traveled from Columbus to an Airbnb residence in Logan, Ohio, on the afternoon of Jan. 6.
At approximately 9:25am the next morning, Jan. 7, Thomas’s phone data shows he traveled near and remained at the North Country Trail Trailhead in Wayne National Forest – where the victims’ remains were later located – for approximately five hours.
The indictment alleges that Thomas obstructed justice by decapitating, dismembering, burying, and discarding the body.
Forensic review of Thomas’s cell phone also revealed deleted communications and interactions between Thomas and the victim, including messages on SnapChat and sexually explicit images of the victim in Thomas’s Columbus residence and the Airbnb residence.
Thomas was initially arrested in January on a local charge, which was dismissed when he was taken into federal custody in February and charged by federal criminal complaint.
Today’s nine-count indictment charges him with kidnapping resulting in death (punishable by death or life in prison); traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor (up to 30 years in prison) and this offense resulting in death (punishable by death or up to life in prison); transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity (at least 10 years and up to life in prison) and this offense resulting in death (punishable by death or up to life in prison); sexual exploitation (at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison) and attempted enticement of a minor (at least 10 years and up to life in prison); obstruction of justice (up to 20 years in prison); and accessing digital materials with the intent to view child pornography (up to 20 years in prison).
Federal prosecutors indict Tyler Thomas in the murder of Hailey Buzbee
The suspect in the
disappearance of 17-year-old Fishers girl Hailey Buzbee has been indicted on nine charges related to her death.
A federal grand jury indicted Tyler Thomas on charges of kidnapping resulting in death, traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor resulting in death, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity resulting in death, sexual exploitation, attempted enticement of a minor, obstruction of justice and accessing child pornography with intent to view.
According to the U.S Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, several of the counts are punishable by death or life in prison, while others carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
“Prosecutors from my office have worked diligently with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners over the past eight months to bring today’s charges forward, never losing sight of the pursuit of justice for Hailey Buzbee and her family,” Gerace said during a news conference.
During the news conference, prosecutors were asked why they chose the specific charges in the indictment rather than bringing forth a murder charge.
Gerace said prosecutors considered the evidence and whether they could prove every element of the crimes beyond a reasonable doubt.
"We've chosen charges in the indictment that we believe we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the evidence bears that out," he said.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said the investigation involved cooperation across local, state and federal agencies.
"No agency did this alone," Wilson said. "This heartbreaking case is a reminder of the real threats that children face every day online."
Court documents said Thomas, 39, allegedly
admitted to communicating with Buzbee for over a year prior to her death.
The case has sparked national attention and
a widespread push for "Hailey's Law," which would include updates to how alerts are sent out for missing persons.
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