Community Honors Memory of Missing Teen Hailey Buzbee

Hailey's family and community gather to celebrate her life after her tragic death

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The community in Fishers, Indiana came together to honor the memory of Hailey Buzbee, a 16-year-old high school student who went missing in early January and was later found dead. Hailey's family and friends gathered at ITOWN Church to celebrate her life, wearing her favorite color pink and sharing stories about her kind and funny personality. Hailey's father and uncle spoke at the event, with her uncle describing her as 'shy, but funny around people she was comfortable with' and her father saying he considered himself the 'luckiest dad ever' despite the tragedy. The community is now pushing to expand an Indiana alert system to help prevent similar incidents in the future.

Why it matters

Hailey's disappearance and tragic death sparked national attention and an outpouring of support from her local community. Her story highlights the importance of missing persons alert systems and the need for greater protections for vulnerable youth. The community gathering to honor Hailey's memory demonstrates the power of coming together in the face of tragedy.

The details

Hailey Buzbee, a 16-year-old student at Hamilton Southeastern High School, was reported missing on January 5th. Her disappearance garnered national attention as authorities searched for her. Tragically, her remains were later discovered on February 1st in Perry County, Ohio. The community gathered at ITOWN Church in Fishers, Indiana to celebrate Hailey's life, with her casket on stage flanked by photos of her. Hailey's uncle described her as a shy but funny girl, while her father said he considered himself the 'luckiest dad ever' despite the heartbreak. The Buzbee family and community are now pushing to expand an Indiana alert system to potentially save other children at risk.

  • Hailey Buzbee was reported missing on January 5, 2026.
  • Hailey's remains were discovered on February 1, 2026 in Perry County, Ohio.
  • The community celebration of Hailey's life was held on February 13, 2026.

The players

Hailey Buzbee

A 16-year-old high school student at Hamilton Southeastern High School who went missing and was later found deceased.

Beau Buzbee

Hailey's father, who said he considered himself the 'luckiest dad ever' despite the tragedy.

Mark Miranda

Hailey's uncle, who described her as a shy but funny girl who loved wearing princess dresses.

Dave Sumrall

The pastor at ITOWN Church where the community celebration of Hailey's life was held.

Tyler Thomas

The 39-year-old man who picked up Hailey on the day she went missing and took her to Ohio, where her remains were later found.

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What they’re saying

“She got the nickname 'Hey Hey,' and she was her Daddy's princess and loved wearing princess dresses everywhere whether it's appropriate or not. That said, Hailey was shy, but funny around people she was comfortable with.”

— Mark Miranda, Hailey's Uncle (wishtv.com)

“For the time we have together on this Earth, I still consider myself the luckiest dad ever, and I will carry you forever, revisiting memories every single day.”

— Beau Buzbee (wishtv.com)

“For all the amazing stories that will come in this horrific tragedy, we thank you already for the lives that have been saved, for the children that have been rescued, for the laws that will be changed, for the difference that will be made. We pray that the presence and your power would fill the Buzbee family.”

— Dave Sumrall, Pastor, ITOWN Church (wishtv.com)

What’s next

The Buzbee family and community are pushing to expand an Indiana alert system that could potentially save other children at risk.

The takeaway

Hailey Buzbee's tragic death has sparked an outpouring of support from her local community, who gathered to celebrate her life and legacy. Her story highlights the need for stronger missing persons alert systems and greater protections for vulnerable youth, as the community works to ensure her memory lives on through positive change.