FISHERS, IN – The disappearance of a 17-year-old Indiana girl who vanished earlier this month after allegedly leaving home with a significantly older man she met online has taken a tragic turn, as authorities now believe she is dead.

Hailey Buzbee, a high school student from Fishers, was first reported missing on Jan. 6, prompting an intensive search and investigation by police. According to police, Buzbee left her family’s home overnight and is believed to have left in a vehicle with 39-year-old Tyler N. Thomas, an Ohio resident. The two reportedly met through an online gaming platform.

Authorities detailed the developments in the case during a news conference on Sunday, saying that, although Buzbee’s body has not been found, the investigation had shifted from a search-and-rescue effort to a recovery operation based on evidence collected in recent days. Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness described the probe as “extensive” and confirmed investigators believe Buzbee is deceased.

Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart said officers responded to Buzbee’s family home in the city’s Enclave at Vermillion neighborhood after her parents realized she was gone. Detectives traced a previously unidentified vehicle seen in the area the night Buzbee disappeared and linked it to Thomas, who eventually admitted to picking her up at her residence.

Thomas initially told police he drove Buzbee to western Ohio and dropped her off on the side of the road. Investigators later determined that account was false. Continued efforts—utilizing technology and collaboration with Ohio authorities—revealed further suspect activity. The Columbus, Ohio, Police Department’s homicide unit executed search warrants at Thomas’s home and on his vehicle, as well as a short-term rental unit in Hocking County, Ohio.

Evidence uncovered through these searches indicated that Buzbee had been present at both Thomas’s residence and the rental property, authorities said. Digital forensics conducted on Thomas’s cellphone revealed a cache of photos and a video showing Buzbee, including one in which she was filmed performing a sexual act, according to investigators. Detectives found this material in a file that Thomas had allegedly tried to delete.

Although Thomas has not been charged with murder, Franklin County, Ohio, officials filed charges of tampering with evidence and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor. Those charges are directly tied to the investigation into Buzbee’s disappearance and the presumption of her death. Authorities believe Buzbee died within days after leaving home.

Thomas is currently in custody and is expected to make his first court appearance Monday. Officials have not provided details on the potential for additional charges pending the outcome of the ongoing recovery operation and further investigation.

The Buzbee family expressed profound grief over their loss, describing Hailey as a “smart, beautiful, kind, and caring young lady with a bright future.” In a message to the community, they thanked supporters for offering hope and strength during their ordeal and asked for continued thoughts and prayers as they mourn.

A fundraising campaign organized online to assist the Buzbee family has raised more than $35,000 as of Monday morning, as the community continues to rally in support of the grieving family. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to search for Buzbee and pursue additional leads.