Girl, 17, Vanished After Meeting Man, 39, Through Online Gaming. He’s Now Been Arrested in Connection with Her Death

A teenage girl, who met a man through online gaming before her disappearance four weeks ago, is believed to be dead.

Hailey Buzbee was last seen leaving her home in Vermillion, Ohio, on Jan. 5. Having been reported missing by her family, it was presumed at the time that she had “run away from home,” the Fisher Police Department (FPD) said on Facebook.

On Sunday, Feb. 1, the FPD announced in a press conference that following further investigation, they believe Buzbee, 17, is now dead. They determined that the teen went missing “within days after she was picked up” by suspect Tyler Thomas, 39, whom she met through online gaming.

“On Jan. 6, we responded to the Buzbee residence. Her parents had reported that she left overnight,” said Fisher Police Chief Ed Gebhart. “…Throughout the investigation, we were able to identify an unknown vehicle that had been in Hailey’s neighborhood the night she had gone missing.”

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“Using technology, our detectives identified Thomas as a suspect she had left with,” Gebhart continued. “…He admitted to picking Hailey up at her home. He told us that he dropped her off on the side of the road in western Ohio.

“However, through continued investigations, his initial story was determined to be untrue,” said Gebhart.

The police said that there is evidence indicating that Thomas and Buzbee stayed at “a short-term rental” together after he picked her up. Buzbee, however, wasn’t found at the property during a later search, the police confirmed.     

Thomas is being held on no bond at the Franklin County Jail on two felonies associated with the case, including pandering obscenity and tampering with evidence. He has not been charged with Buzbee’s murder at this time.

Buzbee was a student at HSC High School in Ohio, Gedarht confirmed.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said during the press conference that Buzbee’s family are “devastated” at the tragic update following her disappearance.

“I am confident that our community will rally in the coming hours, days and weeks to stand with that family in their grief, and share in the burden of mending and healing,” he added.

The FPD are being assisted by the FBI, the Indiana State Police, the Columbus Police and the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office in their investigation.

Thomas is due to appear in court regarding his charges on Monday, Feb. 2.

PEOPLE has contacted the FPD for further comment.