Key Takeaways:
- A federal grand jury indicted Columbus resident Tyler Thomas, 39, on nine counts on Sept. 23 in the death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee of Fishers, Indiana.
- Buzbee’s remains were found in Perry County, Ohio, about 60 miles southeast of Columbus. Authorities first classified her as a runaway, so no Amber Alert was issued.
- Her father, Beau Buzbee, is urging the U.S. House to advance the HAILEY Act. It would let police issue Amber Alerts for minors they believe are high-risk missing persons, even without evidence of abduction.
- Prosecutors say Thomas met Buzbee online through video games. An indictment is an allegation, and Thomas is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
- Neither the federal HAILEY Act nor Ohio’s “Hailey’s Law” has passed, so Amber Alert rules have not changed.
Quick Facts:
What: A federal grand jury indicted a Columbus man on nine counts tied to Hailey Buzbee’s disappearance and death, and her family is pushing Congress to change Amber Alert rules.
Where: Columbus (Thomas’s residence); Southern District of Ohio (federal case); Wayne National Forest, Perry County (where remains were found).
When: Indictment announced Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. Buzbee was reported missing Jan. 5, 2026.
Who: Tyler Thomas; U.S. Attorney Dominick Gerace II; Beau Buzbee; Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson; state Rep. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester); state Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson).
Status: Under investigation / court proceedings pending.
Source: NBC4 Columbus
What Happened
A federal grand jury indicted Tyler Thomas, 39, of Columbus on nine counts on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The counts relate to the disappearance and death of Hailey Buzbee, 17, of Fishers, Indiana, NBC4 Columbus reported.
Buzbee was reported missing on Jan. 5, 2026. Authorities initially classified her as a runaway, and no Amber Alert or Silver Alert was issued, according to WTHR.
Thomas led investigators to Buzbee’s remains in Wayne National Forest in Perry County, according to FOX59. Federal prosecutors filed charges against him in February.
The indictment includes kidnapping resulting in death, two counts of offense resulting in death, enticement of a minor and obstruction of justice, 10TV reported. Prosecutors allege Thomas met Buzbee online while playing video games, WKYC reported.
What Officials Said
Thomas’s attorney, Sam Shamansky, said his client turned himself in and worked with the FBI and other agencies to show them where Buzbee was buried, according to 10TV.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson used the indictment announcement to warn parents about online threats to children, WKYC reported.
Beau Buzbee thanked investigators in a statement to NBC4 Columbus and called on House leaders to act. He wrote: “This legislation would help close a devastating gap in our nation’s alert system.”
What This Means for Columbus Residents
No roads are closed, and no suspect is at large in connection with the case. Thomas has been in federal custody, according to earlier reports.
The case reaches Columbus because Thomas is identified as a city resident and prosecutors say the contact began online. Ohio’s “Hailey’s Law,” introduced by Reynolds and Roegner, remains in an Ohio Senate committee, WKYC reported. The federal HAILEY Act remains in a congressional committee. Neither bill has changed how Amber Alerts work in Columbus or elsewhere in Ohio.
Background
The HAILEY Act would amend the federal PROTECT Act to set minimum standards for Amber Alerts covering minors whom police reasonably believe are high-risk missing persons. Ohio’s “Hailey’s Law” would require certain gaming platforms to verify users’ ages, create a “Pink Alert” for missing minors who do not meet Amber Alert criteria, and require schools to teach age-appropriate lessons on grooming awareness.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed two bills in March that were inspired by Buzbee’s death, according to NBC4 Columbus.
What To Do
- Emergency or a child in danger: Call 911.
- Columbus police non-emergency line: (614) 645-4545.
- Report online exploitation of a child: the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org, or 1-800-843-5678.
- Contact lawmakers: Residents can reach their U.S. House member or Ohio Senate representative about the HAILEY Act and Hailey’s Law.
Columbus Frontline will update as more information becomes available.