Podcast Summary: Going West: True Crime

Episode 581: Hailey Buzbee: Lured by an Online Predator (Happening Now)
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman
Date: February 10, 2026

Main Theme

This episode investigates the tragic disappearance and murder of 17-year-old Hailey Busbee from Fishers, Indiana, who was lured by an older online predator she met through a gaming platform. Daphne and Heath detail the timeline of Hailey’s disappearance, the investigation’s shocking developments, and ensuing efforts by her family and community to strengthen protections for children online through “Hailey’s Law” and the proposed “Pink Alert.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Disappearance & Initial Investigation

• Setting the Scene
  • The month has already seen “the Tepe murders,” and now news breaks of Hailey’s case ending tragically (01:29).
  • Hailey, a junior at Hamilton Southeastern High School, was last seen on the evening of January 5th, 2026, after her first day back from winter break (08:04).
  • “She had reportedly this really stable home life with her hard working parents in a beautiful newly built suburban community.” – Heath (08:38)
• Missing Person Status
  • Initially believed a runaway, police quickly reclassified Hailey as “endangered missing juvenile” as no contact was made and circumstances became suspicious (11:51).
  • Security camera footage showed Hailey willingly entering a vehicle late at night, raising immediate red flags (09:53).
  • “But very quickly...the situation seemed to be one of concern, and much more than just a simple runaway story.” – Heath (09:10)
• Community & Family Response
  • The family, knowing Hailey’s responsible nature, reported her missing quickly and felt the “runaway” label did not fit her character (12:01).
  • “She was not the type to run away.” – Daphne (12:03)

The Online Connection & Grooming

• Suspect Identification
  • Surveillance footage led investigators to Tyler Thomas, a 39-year-old man living in Ohio (13:11).
  • Thomas confessed to picking Hailey up, claiming he simply dropped her on a road in western Ohio—a story deemed implausible (14:37).
    • “Yeah, and this is obviously a fucking lie.” – Heath (15:03)
• Digital Forensics
  • Police traced their contact to an online game—speculated as Roblox—where Hailey and Tyler communicated for over a year, starting possibly when Hailey was just 15 or 16 (15:42–15:58).
  • The pair transitioned to Session, an encrypted messenger designed for total anonymity (20:33).
    • “Session is a free encrypted messenger app that doesn’t require a phone number or an email for account creation...Which means it’s probably used for a lot of bad shit.” – Daphne (20:41)
  • Tyler groomed Hailey, convincing her to run away and plan the logistics of her escape (21:45).
    • “He’s essentially creating this idea that life is going to be so much better with him outside of her family home.” – Heath (21:45)
• Predatory Tactics & Social Media
  • Detailed discussion about online grooming, manipulation of teens longing for validation, and how current internet culture amplifies predator opportunities (18:49–19:37).
    • “I think if—like—I could have found myself in the same trap.” – Daphne (18:49)
  • The hosts highlight Roblox’s ongoing safety concerns (17:11) and lawsuits, noting how chat systems facilitate direct access to minors for predators.

Tyler Thomas’s Background & Red Flags

• Fake Identities & Dating Profiles
  • Tyler Thomas used aliases (“James”), lied about his age, listed himself as seven years younger, and was active on multiple dating apps, evidently to lure younger women (24:03–24:57).
    • “Why are you de-aging yourself by seven years?” – Daphne (24:47)
  • 'Are We Dating the Same Guy?' Facebook communities flagged him under several names, substantiating his pattern of deception (24:57).
• Previous Relationships
  • Reports suggest Tyler was in a long-term relationship with a Columbus radiologist, possibly engaging in these predatory behaviors behind the scenes (25:19).
  • An anecdotal comment described an unsettling encounter—empty apartment, mattress on the floor—culminating in the person trusting their gut and leaving (26:00).
    • “I don’t know why, I just had to leave. Nothing bad happened, just a bad gut feeling.” – Community member, quoted by Heath (26:00)

The Investigation Breakthrough & Evidence

• Multi-Agency Search
  • After identifying Tyler as the suspect, police from Indiana and Ohio, joined by the FBI, widened the investigation due to the pattern crossing state lines (32:16).
• Crucial Discoveries
  • Thomas owned/rented a house on Hunter Avenue (Columbus, OH) and a rental cabin near Hocking Hills, OH—both searched extensively.
  • “On a cell phone belonging to Tyler Thomas, investigators found child sexual abuse material of Hailey, both photo and video, as well as evidence that Tyler had tried to delete them and dispose of this evidence.” – Daphne (33:33)
    • “So he’s already trying to cover his tracks.” – Heath (33:46)
  • Forensic evidence indicated Hailey was alive for several days post-disappearance before her death (34:18).

Arrest, Charges, & Legal Proceedings

• Arrest Details
  • Tyler Thomas surrendered voluntarily, initially charged with tampering with evidence and “pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor,” both serious felonies in Ohio (35:21).
  • Bond set at $1.5 million, but no attempt to make bail (37:33).
• Location of Remains & Confession
  • On February 1, Thomas, “cooperating” with police, led investigators to Hailey’s remains in Wayne National Forest, Perry County, OH—about 45 minutes from the cabin rental (37:50–38:57).
    • “Despite leading them to her remains...Tyler maintained that he was not involved in Hailey’s death.” – Daphne (38:48)
  • Hosts discuss possible legal strategies Thomas might use, including denial, accidental death claims, or blaming drug use or rough sex, referencing his BDSM interests (39:23–39:49).
• Awaiting Murder Charges
  • Murder charges not yet filed pending official determination of cause and manner of death, and discussions of proper jurisdiction (45:08).

The Push for Hailey’s Law and the Pink Alert

• Family’s Statement
  • "Hailey was a smart, beautiful, kind, and caring young lady with a bright future. She had a deep love for her family and holds a very special place in so many hearts. Our family is devastated..." – Hailey's father, Bo (40:11)
• Legislative Effort: Hailey’s Law & Pink Alert
  • Initiative to mandate cyber safety education and establish a Pink Alert for online grooming-motivated child disappearances (41:05–41:45).
    • “Her family and local elected leaders are pushing for child cyber safety in Indiana...The Pink Alert would activate and notify your phone like an Amber Alert would if there is evidence of online grooming or predator contact nearby...” – Daphne (41:07)
  • Statement from Indiana’s Lt. Governor:
    • “Hailey’s Law actually fills a gap between the Amber Alert and the Silver Alert...Unless you see somebody physically being abducted, you can't really call for an Amber Alert. We need to call for this now so people can be on the lookout because time is of the essence." (41:25)
• Importance of Digital Stranger Danger
  • Petition emphasizes that current “stranger danger” lessons are outdated in the digital age, highlighting how easily predators can access children through digital means (43:37).
    • “In today’s digital world, a predator doesn’t need a van or a public encounter. They only need a smartphone.” – Petition statement, read by Heath (43:37)
  • Hosts urge listeners to sign and share the petition for Hailey’s Law (41:00, 47:31).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• The Power of Surveillance
  • “Having the security camera footage was so helpful in this case because right off the bat they're able to identify a vehicle.” – Heath (13:58)
• On Grooming
  • “When you’re a teenage girl, you want to be valued, you want to be seen, you want to be older. And I can absolutely see Hailey...talking to a guy, even if they know he’s older and...convince[s] her to meet up...” – Daphne (18:49)
• On Parental Vigilance
  • “...it’s so important to...put this out there for the public to know...especially parents to know that they need to monitor what their kids are doing online.” – Heath (19:37)
• On Outdated Safety Teachings
  • “For decades, we’ve taught children stranger danger and warned them not to accept candy from someone in a van. While those lessons still matter, they no longer reflect the most common threats. Today’s predators often pose as friends, peers, or mentors, reaching children through social media, gaming platforms, and online communities.” – Petition, read by Heath (43:37)
• Host Reflection
  • “Hailey didn’t sign up to be a cautionary tale.” – Daphne (20:13)

Important Timestamps

• 01:29: Introduces troubling developments and the hosts’ emotional investment in the case
• 03:47–04:18: Announces shift in status: Hailey now believed deceased, suspect in custody
• 08:04–08:38: Background on Hailey and her supportive home
• 09:53: Security camera footage shows Hailey leaving voluntarily with an unknown person
• 13:11: Tyler Thomas identified and questioned
• 15:42–16:58: Details about meeting through an online game, grooming process, and chat platforms
• 20:33: Explanation of Session, the encrypted app used for planning
• 24:03–25:42: Tyler’s pattern of deception and background
• 33:33–34:18: Discovery of explicit materials and forensic evidence at two properties
• 35:21–37:33: Charges, arrest process, and legal maneuverings
• 37:50–39:15: Remains discovered; legal defense strategies discussed
• 40:11: Statement from Hailey’s father; launch of Hailey’s Law and Pink Alert initiative
• 41:05–41:45: Details of Hailey’s Law and Pink Alert
• 43:37: Readout of the change.org petition statement
• 45:08–45:37: Awaiting further charges and trial process

Action & Awareness

• Call to Action:

  • Sign and share the petition for Hailey’s Law at change.org to help create stronger protections and alert systems for children targeted by online predators.
  • “The petition...reads: ‘Hailey didn’t simply run away, she was lured. In today’s digital world, a predator doesn’t need a van or a public encounter. They only need a smartphone...’” – Heath (43:37)

• Closing Thoughts:

  • The hosts emphasize the need for digital safety education, legislative updates to reflect modern risks, and continued vigilance by parents and communities.
  • “We assume that Tyler will be charged with murder imminently, but...they really just need to wait until they have the cause and manner of death confirmed...” – Daphne (45:08)

This episode serves as a powerful, heartbreaking warning about the dangers young people face online and the urgent need for systemic, legislative, and educational reform. The hosts deliver a compassionate and thorough retelling, balancing forensic detail, empathy, and advocacy.