What We Know About Hailey Buzbee’s Disappearance By Jordana Comiter

Nearly a month after the search for high school student Hailey Buzbee went underway, authorities announced that she is believed to be dead.

Buzbee was last seen leaving her Ohio home on Jan. 5. Her parents reported her missing shortly after, and on Jan. 6, an investigation began that later linked suspect Tyler Thomas to the case. On Feb. 1, the Fishers Police Department (FPD) announced in a press conference that they believe Buzbee is now dead.

Later that day, Buzbee’s father, Beau, shared a post on Facebook and wrote that their family is “devastated.”

“Hailey was a smart, beautiful, kind, and caring young lady with a bright future,” he wrote. “She had a deep love for her family and holds a very special place in so many hearts.”

He added, “We want the community and others to know that we are so thankful for the support we received. It’s been tremendous and gave us the hope and strength we needed during our darkest hours.”

Here’s everything to know about Hailey Buzbee’s disappearance.

Buzbee was a high school student

Buzbee was 17 years old at the time of the search. She was a student at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Indiana and was in her junior year, per WRTV.

On Feb. 2, HSE principal Craig McCaffrey said in a statement that Buzbee was a “valued member of our school community,” who will be “remembered for her big heart and positive spirit,” per WTHR.

According to McCaffrey’s statement, she is also a big sister.

She worked in a local restaurant

Buzbee’s family described her to Dateline as a “dependable” student and employee.

They said that in addition to earning good grades in school, she worked part-time as a server at a local restaurant.

Buzbee went missing in early January 2026

Buzbee was last seen leaving her home in Vermilion, Ohio, on Jan. 5, when she was reported missing by her family. The FPD said on Facebook that they believed at the time that Buzbee, who was considered an “endangered missing juvenile,” had “run away from home.”

During their Feb. 1 press conference, the FPD said that upon their investigation, they determined that Buzbee went missing “within days after she was picked up” by Thomas, the suspect whom she is believed to have met through online gaming.

Authorities said that Thomas admitted to picking Hailey up at her home, though he claimed he dropped her off on the side of the road in western Ohio — a story they determined to be untrue.

The police said that there is evidence indicating that Thomas and Buzbee stayed at “a short-term rental” together after he picked her up, though she wasn’t found at the property during a later search.

Buzbee is believed to be dead

The FPD announced during the Feb. 1 press conference that following further investigation, they believe Buzbee is now dead.

Thomas’ attorney said that authorities believe they found her body in Ohio’s Perry County, per ABC6, who also reported that investigators believe Buzbee died shortly after her Jan. 5 disappearance.

Thomas has been charged in connection with Buzbee’s case

Thomas has not been charged with Buzbee’s murder as of Feb. 2, though he is currently being held on no bond at the Franklin County Jail on two felonies associated with the case, including pandering obscenity and tampering with evidence.

According to The Columbus Dispatch, court records indicate that a search of Thomas’ phone included sexually oriented videos and photos of Buzbee, some of which he attempted to delete.