COLUMBUS, Ohio (AVC News) — A federal grand jury has indicted a Columbus man on nine counts related to the disappearance and death of a 17-year-old Indiana girl whose remains were later found in Wayne National Forest.
Tyler Nike Thomas, 39, of Columbus, is accused of sexually exploiting and murdering Hailey Buzbee.
According to the indictment, Thomas met Buzbee online while playing video games, including Roblox and League of Legends. Prosecutors allege Thomas began attempting to entice Buzbee into sexual activity as early as May 2024, when she was 15.
The indictment alleges Thomas traveled from Columbus to Fortville, Indiana, during the overnight hours of Jan. 5-6, 2026, to pick up Buzbee and bring her back to Ohio with the intent to engage in prohibited sexual activity with her. Prosecutors allege he murdered her during the course of those offenses.
Cellphone analysis allegedly showed Thomas traveled from Columbus to an Airbnb in Logan on the afternoon of Jan. 6. The following morning, his phone data showed he traveled to and remained near the North Country Trail Trailhead in Wayne National Forest for about five hours. Buzbee’s remains were later found in that area.
The indictment alleges Thomas attempted to obstruct justice by decapitating, dismembering, burying and discarding Buzbee’s body.
Investigators also recovered deleted communications between Thomas and Buzbee, including Snapchat messages, as well as sexually explicit images of Buzbee from Thomas’ Columbus residence and the Airbnb.
Thomas was initially arrested in January on a local charge. That charge was later dismissed when he was taken into federal custody in February and charged through a federal criminal complaint.
The nine-count indictment charges Thomas with kidnapping resulting in death; traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, including a resulting-death charge; transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, including a resulting-death charge; sexual exploitation; attempted enticement of a minor; obstruction of justice; and accessing digital materials with the intent to view child pornography.
The charges carry penalties ranging from 10 years in prison to life imprisonment or death, depending on the offense and circumstances alleged in the indictment.
The investigation involved the FBI, Columbus Police Department, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Hocking County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, Fishers, Indiana, Police Department and Indiana State Police, among numerous other agencies and search-and-rescue organizations.
Senior Litigation Counsel Heather A. Hill and Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Czerniejewski are representing the federal government in the case.
The indictment contains allegations, and Thomas is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Last Updated on September 24, 2026 by AVC News
