Human remains confirmed to be missing Rush County girl

human-remains-confirmed-to-be-missing-rush-county-girl

Human remains found in Rush County have been confirmed to be Valerie Tindall.

Tindall was 17 at the time she was reported missing in June and a Silver Alert was issued.

Rush County Coroner Brenda McMahan positively identified the human remains found on Tuesday at 2366 North Oak Street, Arlington. The cause and manner of death are still to be determined pending toxicology and the final autopsy report.

Formal charges have been filed against Patrick Scott. Scott was a person of interest in the case leading up to Tindall’s remains being found on his property. Scott is charged with murder, obstruction of justice and false informing to a law enforcement officer. He’s being held at the Rush County Jail.

Court documents show cadaver dogs were used to conduct an October 11 search at a pond near Scott’s property. Nothing was found and law enforcement believed the dogs had picked up a wind scent from Scott’s property. A flyover of the property indicated areas where the ground had been disturbed.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Tuesday. Tindall’s remains were found buried, wrapped in tarps and placed in a box.

According to court documents, Scott admitted to the crime after the body was discovered. He claimed Tindall was trying to blackmail him into a relationship he didn’t want. He said the murder just happened.

The Rush County Sheriff’s Office is urging the public to come forward with any information that may assist the investigation. The office can be contacted by calling 765-932-2931.

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