Ohio Man Charged Federally in Disappearance of Teenage Girl

Tyler Thomas faces federal charges related to the disappearance and presumed death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Tyler Thomas, a 39-year-old Ohio man, has been charged at the federal level in connection with the disappearance of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee. The new federal charges, which mirror the state charges Thomas already faces, include sexual exploitation of a minor and travel in interstate commerce with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Court documents reveal that Thomas and Buzbee met online through gaming platforms like Discord, Roblox, and League of Legends, and communicated via encrypted messaging before Thomas allegedly picked Buzbee up from her home and drove her to Ohio, where investigators believe she was killed.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers of online predators targeting minors through popular gaming and social platforms, as well as the challenges law enforcement faces in investigating such cases that cross state lines. It also raises questions about the role of technology companies in monitoring and reporting suspicious activity on their platforms.

The details

According to court documents, Thomas initially denied any involvement in Buzbee's disappearance but later admitted to picking her up from her home in Indiana and driving her to Ohio. Investigators found videos of a sexual nature involving Buzbee on Thomas' phone, and he allegedly attempted to delete the evidence. Thomas eventually led police to Buzbee's remains in a remote area of Wayne National Forest in Ohio.

  • On January 6, Buzbee's parents awoke to find their daughter missing, with a note stating she had run away.
  • On January 19, the Fishers Police Department declared Buzbee an 'endangered missing juvenile'.
  • On February 1, authorities announced Thomas' arrest and said Buzbee was presumed dead.
  • On February 1, Thomas led police to Buzbee's remains in Wayne National Forest.

The players

Tyler Thomas

A 39-year-old Ohio man who has been charged at the federal level in connection with the disappearance and presumed death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee.

Hailey Buzbee

A 17-year-old girl from Fishers, Indiana, who went missing on January 5 and was later presumed dead.

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What they’re saying

“The filing of these federal charges does not signal the end of the investigation. Our prosecutors continue to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to collect and comb through evidence in pursuit of justice for Hailey and her family. We appreciate the public's patience as the investigation proceeds.”

— Dominick S. Gerace II, U.S. Attorney (U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Ohio)

“We're going to deal with the charges straight up, and we'll deal with professional and capable prosecutors, whether it's in state court or federal.”

— Sam Shamansky, Defense Attorney for Tyler Thomas (WCMH)

What’s next

Federal prosecutors have 30 days to indict Thomas on the current charges, which could potentially include murder charges if the U.S. Attorney's Office decides to pursue them.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for greater online safety measures and parental vigilance when it comes to children's use of gaming and social media platforms. It also highlights the complexities of cross-jurisdictional investigations and the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies at all levels.