Fishers is on edge tonight. Police say they now believe 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee is deceased, and a suspect is in custody in Columbus, Ohio. I was in the briefing room as Fishers Police made the announcement, stressing that the investigation is active and facts are still developing. The department did not release evidence, charges, or recovery details. That restraint matters, and it shapes what happens next. 🚨
What We Know, And What We Do Not
Police were clear on a few core points and careful on the rest. Here is the line between confirmed and unconfirmed right now:
- Confirmed: Hailey Buzbee, 17, was reported missing. Police now believe she is deceased.
- Confirmed: A suspect is in custody in Columbus, Ohio, linked to this case.
- Unconfirmed: The specific charges, evidence, and recovery status have not been released.
- Unconfirmed: The timeline and location of any crime have not been detailed.
A suspect in custody is presumed innocent. Allegations must be proven in court, not online.
A Fast, Cross-State Case
This moved quickly across state lines. Fishers detectives coordinated with authorities in Ohio after leads pointed toward Columbus. When a case crosses borders, two big questions matter, jurisdiction and process. Jurisdiction usually rests where the alleged crime happened. Process is how agencies lawfully act across state lines. That often means sharing warrants, securing records, and working through prosecutors in both states.
Extradition, Step By Step
If Indiana seeks to bring an Ohio arrestee back, the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act guides the steps. Both Indiana and Ohio use it. Here is the process you can expect:
- Initial appearance in Ohio. The suspect hears the reason for arrest and is advised of rights.
- Decision on extradition. The suspect can waive extradition or contest it.
- If contested, Indiana seeks a governor’s warrant. Ohio reviews it for legal sufficiency.
- Transport to Indiana follows if the warrant is approved, then an initial hearing in Indiana court.
What Charges And Evidence Could Come Next
Officials did not release the probable cause affidavit today. That is common in an active case. Prosecutors must decide where venue lies, what charges to file, and when to unseal records. If the alleged conduct occurred in Indiana, charges will likely be filed there. If key acts happened in Ohio, some charges could start there. Either path must satisfy probable cause at the outset and proof beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act allows police to withhold investigatory records during an active investigation. Ohio’s Public Records Act has a similar exemption. So, do not expect the full file right now. When charges are filed, the probable cause affidavit may become public, with redactions for privacy or safety.
Hailey was a minor. That fact does not block the release of basic information about a victim, but it does shape the handling of school records, family notifications, and any medical information. Courts and prosecutors often guard those details to protect dignity and to avoid tainting a jury pool.
It is also important to note, a homicide case does not require a recovered body to proceed. Courts permit charges based on strong independent evidence. That standard is high, and prosecutors move only when evidence clears it. Until then, speculation helps no one.
Victim rights apply now. Indiana law protects timely notice, the right to be heard at key stages, and fair treatment. Ohio’s Marsy’s Law ensures similar rights during any Ohio proceedings.
What Citizens Should Do Right Now
Public safety depends on both urgency and care. If you have direct information, share it with law enforcement through official channels. Preserve texts, photos, messages, or video that might be relevant. Do not post unverified claims. That can harm the case and the people involved.
Schools and community groups in Fishers should prepare counseling support. This is a heavy loss for peers and teachers. A calm, factual response helps young people process grief and confusion. 🕯️
Share tips with police, not social media. Save digital evidence, and keep devices unchanged to preserve metadata.
I will keep pressing for answers on venue, charges, and the extradition timeline. The next formal step will likely be an initial court appearance in Ohio or an extradition waiver. Then, if Indiana takes custody, a first hearing in Hamilton County will set bond, counsel, and early deadlines. Every step will be public record once filed, and I will report those filings in real time. Until then, we respect the presumption of innocence, we protect the rights of the victim and family, and we let the law do its work.
