🚨 BIZARRE NEW TWIST IN HAILEY BUZBE CASE: “But She Was Voluntary…” — The latest revelation from suspect Tyler Thomas has made this tragedy even more disturbing and confusing. 😱💔

After leading police to the buried remains of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee in Perry County woods, Thomas’s side is pushing a shocking angle: she left home VOLUNTARILY to do EVERYTHING he asked, from leaving home to meet him after their online gaming chats, and so on…No force, no abduction.

This “voluntary” claim clashes hard with the grooming red flags, age gap, and forensic evidence at his Columbus home and Hocking Hills rental 👇

‘Voluntary’ Departure Claim Emerges in Hailey Buzbee Case as Tyler Thomas Leads Authorities to Remains; Details Add Layers to Tragic Teen Disappearance

FISHERS, Ind. — The investigation into the disappearance and presumed death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee has taken a bizarre turn with revelations suggesting she left her home voluntarily to meet 39-year-old Tyler Thomas, the Ohio man she connected with through online gaming, before the case escalated to grim discoveries of her remains and explicit material on his devices.

Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart announced February 1, 2026, that evidence indicated Buzbee was believed deceased, with her last contact around January 5 when she reportedly left her residence near Indianapolis to meet Thomas. Thomas, of Columbus, Ohio, was arrested January 31 on charges of tampering with evidence and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor after investigators found sexually explicit photos and a deleted video of Buzbee on his phone during searches of his home on Hunter Avenue and a short-term rental near Hocking Hills.

Thomas initially told authorities he picked Buzbee up but dropped her off along a road in western Ohio—a claim police later determined to be false. He cooperated by leading investigators to a location in Perry County’s Wayne National Forest on February 1, where human remains believed to be Buzbee’s were recovered and sent to the Licking County Coroner’s Office for identification and autopsy. No official cause of death has been released, though police believe she died within days of being picked up.

The “voluntary” aspect stems from details in the case: Buzbee reportedly left her home willingly after online interactions with Thomas via a gaming platform. Authorities have emphasized she was not initially classified as abducted, as she departed voluntarily, complicating early response efforts. However, the significant age difference, nature of their contact, and subsequent evidence—including child sexual abuse material—have raised serious questions about grooming and exploitation.

Thomas’s attorney, Sam Shamansky, confirmed after a February 2 court appearance that his client assisted in locating the remains to provide closure to the family. Shamansky anticipates homicide charges, possibly murder, to be filed in Hocking County, where forensic evidence from the rental property suggests the crime may have occurred there. He has stated Thomas will plead not guilty to any homicide charge, though no such charge has been filed as of early February.

Court records detail that during a January 21 search warrant on Thomas’s home, digital devices contained cached photos of Buzbee performing sex acts, with indications a video was created and deleted. Thomas faces a $1.5 million bond and is held in Franklin County Jail, with a next court date scheduled for February 10.

The FBI Cincinnati Field Office issued a statement expressing condolences and noting the multi-jurisdictional probe’s ongoing nature, with no timeline for further releases due to evidence and potential charges. The investigation spans Indiana and Ohio, involving Fishers Police, Columbus Police, Hocking and Perry County Sheriff’s Offices, and federal resources.

Buzbee, a junior at Hamilton Southeastern High School, was described by family as smart, kind, and passionate about journalism. Her father, Beau Buzbee, shared devastation in public statements, highlighting the family’s grief and advocacy push for “Hailey’s Law”—a proposed “Pink Alert” system to better address missing teens at risk, particularly those initially seen as runaways or over 17. The petition has gained significant traction.

The case underscores dangers of online interactions for minors. Gaming platforms facilitate connections that can turn predatory, with casual chats escalating to in-person meetings. Authorities and experts stress supervision, warning signs of grooming, and risks of sharing personal details.

No additional suspects have been named, and officials caution against speculation. The “voluntary” element does not negate potential criminality, given the exploitation charges and age disparity. Prosecutors may pursue charges like statutory offenses or homicide based on evidence.

Community response includes vigils, school support, and fundraisers for the family. The tragedy has sparked national discussion on digital safety, with calls for stricter platform monitoring.

As proceedings continue, focus remains on justice for Buzbee and preventing similar cases. The bizarre twist of a “voluntary” departure amid such dark outcomes leaves lingering questions in a case that has gripped the Midwest.