A Columbus man is facing nine federal charges related to the kidnapping and death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee of Indiana earlier this year.
A grand jury handed down a federal indictment of Tyler N. Thomas, 39, of Columbus, this week. He faces charges of kidnapping resulting in death and traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, among others.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio's Office alleges that Thomas met Buzbee online, playing games like Roblox and League of Legends. As early as May 2024, when Buzbee was just 15 years old, Thomas may have tried to convince her to have sex with him.
Thomas is accused of picking up Buzbee in Fortville, Ind., 20 miles northeast of Indianapolis, overnight on Jan. 5. Investigators said he brought her to Columbus with the intent to engage in sexual activity.
Cell phone data showed that Thomas then traveled to an Airbnb in Logan on Jan. 6.
The next morning, Thomas' phone spent about five hours near the North County Trail in Wayne National Forest, where Buzbee's remains were later found.
An attorney for Thomas previously confirmed to WOSU that he led police to the girl's remains.
The indictment claims that Thomas decapitated, dismembered and buried Buzbee's body.
A forensic team found deleted messages between Thomas and Buzbee, including SnapChat messages and sexually explicit images of Buzbee at Thomas' Columbus home and at the Airbnb in Logan.
Thomas was indicted on two federal charges in mid-February. Authorities said at the time that they would continue investigating the case.
Thomas is not charged directly with murder, but U.S. Attorney General for the Southern District of Ohio Dominick Gerace said that three allegations against Thomas "involve the murder or death of Hailey Buzbee." Five others involve sexual exploitation or coercion. The final charge, obstructing justice, stems from Thomas allegedly discarding her body.
The full list of charges includes:
- kidnapping resulting in death
- traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor
- the above offense resulting in death
- transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- the above offense resulting in death
- sexual exploitation
- attempted enticement of a minor
- obstruction of justice
- accessing digital materials with the intent to view child pornography
If found guilty, Thomas could be sentenced to life in prison or be sentenced to death in connection with some of the charges. Gerace would not comment on whether his office would pursue the death penalty.
"These alleged crimes are reprehensible and carry potentially significant consequences," said Adam Lawson, assistant special agent in charge at the FBI's Cincinnati office.
Lawson gave his condolences to Buzbee's family, who attended, but did not participate in a press event on Wednesday at the U.S. District Attorney's Office in Columbus' Arena District.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said Buzbee's case was a reminder of the threats that children face online.
"I urge parents to talk to your kids about these threats. Be vigilant. Stay vigilant. Know who your children are communicating with," Wilson said. "The online world is extremely dangerous. There are predators all over the place looking for our kids and we must do everything we can to keep them safe."
Gerace, Lawson and Wilson applauded the collaborative work of multiple agencies at the local, state and federal levels that led to the indictment.
"This isn't the end of this case. This is actually the beginning of this," Gerace said. "So, it's been a long road, and it'll continue to be a long road until the case is seen through."
Gerace did not say when Thomas will be arraigned.
