Tyler Thomas, a 19-year-old student at Peru State College in Nebraska, was last seen on December 3, 2010, after leaving an off-campus party. She had been walking back to her dormitory when she disappeared. Thomas was reportedly intoxicated, wearing minimal clothing for the freezing temperatures, and sent a final text message to a friend stating she was unsure of her location. Friends began searching for her within hours, and a missing persons report was filed that same night.
Joshua Keadle, a fellow student at Peru State, soon became the primary suspect. Keadle had a troubled past with multiple allegations of sexual assault, including an incident on Halloween 2010. He initially gave conflicting statements to the police, eventually admitting that he had been with Tyler that night, claiming they had a sexual encounter before she accused him of assault and left his car. He stated he left her by the Missouri River, a location that later became significant as investigators found tire tracks and drag marks at the scene.
Despite extensive searches, Tyler's body was never found. Keadle's history of sexual violence, along with his incriminating behavior and statements, led to his arrest on related charges soon after her disappearance. He was later charged with her murder in 2017, based on witness testimony and circumstantial evidence. In 2020, Keadle was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 71 years in prison. Although Tyler's body remains missing, authorities and her family continue to believe she was killed and her body disposed of in the Missouri River.
Last Seen: Dec 03, 2010
