Police Say 17-Year-Old Hailey Buzbee Met Tyler Thomas, 39, Through Online Gaming. He’s Now Charged in Her Kidnapping and Death
by Jerome London · Thought CatalogUpdated 6 minutes ago, October 5, 2026
Tyler Thomas pleaded not guilty Monday to a federal indictment in the death of Hailey Buzbee, the 17-year-old from Fishers, Indiana, who was last seen at her home on Jan. 5. The 39-year-old Columbus man didn’t appear at the Oct. 5 arraignment, and his attorney, Sam Shamansky, entered the plea for him.
Police say Buzbee left home the next day to meet Thomas, who drove her to his Columbus home before taking her to a short-term rental in Hocking County. Prosecutors allege he dismembered and buried her body, and Shamansky has said Thomas led the FBI to her remains in a wooded area near the New Straitsville Trailhead to Wayne National Forest.
The charges include kidnapping resulting in death, committing an offense resulting in death, obstruction of justice, enticement of a minor and sexual exploitation of a minor. A federal grand jury also issued special findings that make Thomas statutorily eligible for the death penalty.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather Hill and Emily Czerniejewski said the Executive Office for United States Attorneys will decide whether to seek it, with a recommendation from Buzbee’s family. Shamansky said he doesn’t expect a 2026 trial because there’s “a mountain of evidence” to review.
Thomas remains in federal custody, where Shamansky said he’ll stay through trial. Outside the courthouse, Buzbee’s family said they plan to attend every hearing, though they declined to speak at length.
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