Suspect’s cellphone reveals new details in Hailey Buzbee case

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) — Court records have revealed new information in the death and disappearance of Hailey Buzbee.

The 17-year-old Hamilton Southeastern High School student was reported missing on Jan. 5, sparking a search that garnered national attention. Police later discovered her remains in Perry County, Ohio, prompting an outpouring of support from friends, coworkers, and the community.

Ohio police confiscated a black 2014 Acura driven by Tyler Thomas, 39, and his Android cellphone. They’re investigating its contents to piece together what happened.

Thomas initially told police he picked up Buzbee from her Fishers’ home and dropped her off at the Indiana-Ohio border. But police said, Thomas’ cellular data contradicts that, and he traveled directly to Columbus, Ohio, and then to a rental cabin about an hour away in Logan, Ohio. According to police, Thomas said he was alone, but rental records show the reservation was for two people.

Documents claimed Thomas admitted to police he met Buzbee while gaming online and they were communicating on an encrypted app called Session for more than a year. He said that app was used to plan the juvenile’s runaway attempt. Session’s terms of use indicate users must be at least 18 years old. Buzbee was 17.

Greg Schiller has seen this pattern before. He’s part of Child Rescue Coalition, an organization dedicated to protect children from sexual exploitation. “Predators will meet children in any number of places across the internet, websites, apps, gaming systems, and they will bridge them over to another application that the predator feels is more secure and that the victim will feel no one will see those messages. Session, among other apps, provide that anonymity for the offender to protect themselves from potential law enforcement investigation on the back end.”

Additionally, a hairtie and 47 photographs were found inside the Acura. Police swabbed it for DNA and were awaiting results.

Thomas’ lawyer said Thomas led police to Buzbee’s remains.

Police said Thomas is the last known person to have contact with the teen.

Thomas has not been charged in Buzbee’s disappearance and death, but he is charged with pandering sexual material involving minors and tampering with evidence. Police say a photo of another child being sexually abused was found on Thomas’s cellphone.

A court hearing set Tuesday for Thomas has been canceled.