RUSHVILLE, IN – The search for 17-year-old Valerie Tindall, missing for nearly six months, ended in tragedy as authorities discovered her body buried in a barrel in a neighbor’s yard. Patrick Scott, 59, a family friend and Valerie’s employer, has been charged with her murder.
Valerie was reported missing by her parents on June 8, 2023. The discovery of her body on November 28 followed extensive investigative efforts, including over 50 search warrants. The Rushville County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Valerie’s remains were found on Scott’s property in the 2300 block of N Oak Street, Rush County.
Scott, who owned the lawn care business where Valerie worked, became an early person of interest in the case. The discovery was made beneath the rubble of a garage on Scott’s property, which he allegedly burned down after Valerie’s disappearance.
Rush County Sheriff Allan Rice expressed sorrow over the outcome, emphasizing the ongoing investigation to ensure successful prosecution. U.S. Marshals Service spokesperson Dan McLane detailed how leads regarding Valerie’s movements on the day of her disappearance and Scott’s activities were crucial in the arrest.
Previously, Scott was charged with providing false information to police. He had claimed to have dropped Valerie off and witnessed her entering an unknown male’s car. Valerie’s mother, Shena Sandefur, raised concerns about Scott’s behavior towards her daughter, likening it to that of a “jealous boyfriend,” including tracking Valerie’s phone and plans to take her to lunch the day before she went missing. The case remains under investigation to determine the full extent of the circumstances leading to Valerie’s tragic death.