A Columbus man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of an Indiana teen, who whose body was found Sunday in Perry County.
Hailey Buzbee, 17, had been missing since she left her home in Fishers, Indiana, which is near Indianapolis, overnight on Jan. 5.
During a press conference Sunday, Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart said detectives linked Tyler Thomas, 39, of Columbus, to Hailey's disappearance.
Sam Shamansky, Thomas' attorney, confirmed to WOSU that Thomas led police to Buzbee's body on Sunday.
"Because of evidence obtained and statements made by the suspect, the investigation is now moving to recovery efforts," Gebhart said.
Buzbee's parents told police that she left overnight. Police connected a vehicle that was in the neighborhood that night to Thomas. Gebhart said Thomas admitted to picking up the teen and claimed to have dropped her off on the side of the road in western Ohio.
Buzbee and Thomas met online.
Gebhart said police found evidence that Buzbee spent time with Thomas in Columbus and at a short-term rental in Hocking County.
Thomas is in custody at the Franklin County Jail, facing charges of creating sexually-oriented matter involving a minor and tampering with evidence. As of Monday morning, he has not been charged with murder.
