IN IN - Hailey Buzbee, 17, Fishers, 5 January 2026*arrest*

[legalmomma]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2018351108368851170

I just got off the phone with Samuel Shamansky, the lawyer for Tyler Thomas he told me his client led the FBI to the body of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee last night.

Thomas had an initial court hearing in Franklin County, Ohio this morning. Shamansky said Buzbee’s body was located in Perry County, which is southwest of Columbus.

Shamansky told me the FBI picked Thomas up on Sunday from the Franklin County Jail in Ohio and Thomas took officials to where her body was.

Thomas was booked into jail on one count of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor – create/produce material, a Level 2 felony and one count of tampering with evidence – alter/destroy/conceal/remove record, a Level 3 felony.

Shamansky told me he believes Thomas will be charged with murdering Buzbee in said Hocking County.

When I asked Shamansky if Thomas committed the murder, he told me not to assume that and to wait until all of the evidence comes forward. I also asked how Buzbee died and he said he was not ready to disclose that information.

Thomas is currently being held 1.5 million dollar bond.

 

[nerosleuth]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2018351108368851170

I just got off the phone with Samuel Shamansky, the lawyer for Tyler Thomas he told me his client led the FBI to the body of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee last night.

Thomas had an initial court hearing in Franklin County, Ohio this morning. Shamansky said Buzbee’s body was located in Perry County, which is southwest of Columbus.

Shamansky told me the FBI picked Thomas up on Sunday from the Franklin County Jail in Ohio and Thomas took officials to where her body was.

Thomas was booked into jail on one count of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor – create/produce material, a Level 2 felony and one count of tampering with evidence – alter/destroy/conceal/remove record, a Level 3 felony.

Shamansky told me he believes Thomas will be charged with murdering Buzbee in said Hocking County.

When I asked Shamansky if Thomas committed the murder, he told me not to assume that and to wait until all of the evidence comes forward. I also asked how Buzbee died and he said he was not ready to disclose that information.

Thomas is currently being held 1.5 million dollar bond.

Hocking County and Perry County are located southeast of Columbus in the rural hilly region of Southern Ohio. Both counties are an one hour drive from Columbus.

This case is now being covered by the Columbus area tv stations since yesterday.

Shamansky is a very well known criminal defense attorney in the Columbus area that has been involved with high profile criminal trials.

 

[nerosleuth]

WCMH-TV in Columbus, Ohio is reporting that the FBI in Indianapolis is now the lead agency leading the investigation.

WCMH-TV reported that images and video of the victim was found in a deleted file in the form of cache photos.

Source:

Missing Indiana teen found in Ohio; Suspect allegedly had sexual images on phone

Https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/court-records-columbus-man-tied-to-indiana-teens-disappearance-had-sexual-images-on-phone/

 

[borndem]

We have lost another soul. Who knows what wonderful things Hailey might have done to make the world a better place. She certainly is in a better place now, may she rest in peace.
Condolences to those who loved her and to those who hoped to find her alive and well.

 

[jeff2034]

Does anyone have any information on the suspect? It is such a common name, it is hard to know if the information you read online is him or not. I see reports that he was homeless, but then the Columbus dispatch says he lived on Hunter Ave in Columbus as in:
Tyler Thomas, 39, of Columbus' Victorian Village neighborhood, is ... Thomas during a warrant search of his home on Hunter Avenue on Jan
His lawyer is a high priced attorney - how can he afford that unless he is taking the case pro bono?
I read his girlfriend is a radiologist who is also a powerlifter!?
All very confusing, murky and unclear at this point.

 

[nerosleuth]

The area in Hocking County, Ohio is known as the Hocking Hills area.

Hocking Hills State Park is a tourist attraction in that area.

I'm wondering if the short term rental property in Hocking County is the cabins that folks can rent in the Hocking Hills region.

And the rental cabins are quite pricey to rent and stay in.

 

[ErinC]

Hocking County and Perry County are located southeast of Columbus in the rural hilly region of Southern Ohio. Both counties are an one hour drive from Columbus.

This case is now being covered by the Columbus area tv stations since yesterday.

Shamansky is a very well known criminal defense attorney in the Columbus area that has been involved with high profile criminal trials.

Perry is adjacent to Hocking and is where I was born. It's pretty rural and would be a pretty tempting place to dump a body. These cases just keep hitting close to home this year

 

[truthfinder2019]

The remains of the 17-year-old were discovered Sunday in Wayne National Forest near a trailhead in Perry County, according to Hocking County Sheriff Lanny North.

Location of missing teen's remains revealed by Hocking County Sheriff

The Hocking County Sheriff is revealing more details in the death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee.

abc6onyourside.com

Hocking County Sheriff Lanny North told 10TV that Buzbee's body had been dismembered

https://eu.dispatch.com/story/news/courts/2026/02/03/hailey-buzbee-tyler-thomas-investigation-ohio-fishers-indiana-columbus-perry-county-murder-missing/88488362007/

:-(

 

[Vaderman]

The area in Hocking County, Ohio is known as the Hocking Hills area.

Hocking Hills State Park is a tourist attraction in that area.

I'm wondering if the short term rental property in Hocking County is the cabins that folks can rent in the Hocking Hills region.

And the rental cabins are quite pricey to rent and stay in.

I've stayed in those cabins. It's very remote and secluded. Ideal place to go if you're planning on committing a crime.

 

[JoeFromLB]

Another horrific crime committed by a maniac. One more in a seemingly endless series...

 

[JoeFromLB]

According to reports, she met him on an online gaming site and he lied about his age. Poor girl. The Internet is dangerous. Predators all over.
He looks a little like Ted Bundy in his mugshot.

 

[nerosleuth]

I would not be surprised at all if the suspect does end up facing federal criminal charges in connection with the victim's disappearance and murder.

The suspect took a victim who was a minor across a state line.

Then the victim eventually was found deceased on federal property in a national forest.

So no wonder the FBI is involved and in charge of the investigation concerning this case.

 

[Caylee Advocate]

A little off topic, but also IMO, relevant. Hocking Hills is such a beautiful place but as of late, some are destroying that once peaceful serene getaway. Sad

'Peeping Tom' cabin owner sentenced for hidden camera found by guest

What was meant to be a peaceful family getaway turned into a nightmare for one mother after she discovered a hidden camera inside her Hocking Hills rental cabin

abc6onyourside.com

 

[jeff2034]

According to reports, she met him on an online gaming site and he lied about his age. Poor girl. The Internet is dangerous. Predators all over.
He looks a little like Ted Bundy in his mugshot.

I wonder if the reason he was so quick to lead authorities to the body was because there was someone else also involved and he is looking to blame that person for the murder. I suspect there is more to the story.

 

[Angelcat13]

So young, and wanting more -- understandable in many situations at home or at school, etc. Young and looking for a better situation.
How can this horror be stopped? Surely, surely something can be done. But how, how, how?
Those who are wanting more (understandable -- SMH) -- the lures of better situations.
Scary, with very bad (usually) outcomes.

Very poetically written.

 

[samaor]

I wonder if the reason he was so quick to lead authorities to the body was because there was someone else also involved and he is looking to blame that person for the murder. I suspect there is more to the story.

You may be on to something. He picked her up, he took her to his home and then to a rental property, he had photos/videos of her on his phone, he was able to show authorities where her remains are, but insists he did not murder her. Things are feeling real weird...

 

[NeilC]

Does anyone have any information on the suspect? It is such a common name, it is hard to know if the information you read online is him or not. I see reports that he was homeless, but then the Columbus dispatch says he lived on Hunter Ave in Columbus as in:
Tyler Thomas, 39, of Columbus' Victorian Village neighborhood, is ... Thomas during a warrant search of his home on Hunter Avenue on Jan
His lawyer is a high priced attorney - how can he afford that unless he is taking the case pro bono?
I read his girlfriend is a radiologist who is also a powerlifter!?
All very confusing, murky and unclear at this point.

I don’t have additional info about the suspect but the Victorian Village neighborhood where he reportedly lives is a high-end area in downtown Cols. I lived there for many years in the 1990s. This, along with his high-priced atty seems to indicate he has some financial resources.