Missing Indiana Teen Found Buried in Her Boss's Backyard

In the quiet town of Arlington, Indiana, a horrific crime unfolded that shook the community to its core. The story revolves around 17-year-old Valerie Tindle—a vibrant girl with dreams of becoming a veterinarian—whose life was tragically cut short due to the betrayal of someone she trusted.

A Promising Young Life

Valerie Tindle was known for her infectious smile and her love for video games, animals, and spending time with family. She was a senior at Rushville Consolidated High School, and her passions were apparent to everyone around her. Her parents, Sheena Sandifer and Jack Tindle, hoped to find a peaceful life in Arlington, away from the harsher realities of city life. However, what they found was a nightmare.

The perpetrator of this crime was none other than their neighbor, 59-year-old Patrick Scott, who owned a local lawn care business. Scott, who presented himself as a helpful neighbor, quickly formed a bond with Valerie, offering her a job when she was just 15 years old.

The Disappearance

On June 7, 2023, Valerie informed her mother that she would be working. Her mother found this unusual, as Valerie typically didn’t work on Wednesdays. When Sheena called Patrick Scott to confirm whether Valerie was at work, he claimed she hadn’t shown up. This inconsistency raised alarm bells, leading Sheena into a spiraling panic as she began searching for her daughter.

Scott’s narrative began to shift when one of his clients reported overhearing a lunch meeting between him and Valerie. This prompted her mother to contact authorities, escalating the situation. The Rush County Sheriff's Department acted quickly, treating the case seriously from the outset. They executed warrants on social media and phone records, tracking Valerie's potential movements.

Uncovering the Truth

For the next five months, Sheena and Jack endured the agony of not knowing what happened to their daughter. As her 18th birthday passed with no sign of her, the pain deepened. Tragically, on that fateful day in June, Patrick Scott had lured Valerie to his home. An argument escalated to unfathomable violence when he strangled her with his belt.

After wrapping her body in black plastic, Scott constructed a wooden box where he placed Valerie before burying her in a shallow grave less than 100 yards from her home.

As law enforcement began their investigation, they employed advanced techniques to trace Valerie’s last movements through digital footprints left by a phone Scott had bought for her. They even utilized cadaver dogs at Scott's property, leading to discoveries of disturbed ground indicating something sinister.

On November 28, 2023, almost six months after Valerie vanished, extensive searches uncovered two boxes buried on Scott's property. One contained Valerie's remains, identifiable by her distinctive orange nail polish—the last clue that would reveal the truth behind her disappearance.

Deception and Darkness

Throughout the investigation, Patrick Scott played the role of the concerned neighbor and devoted family man while detectives began to recognize him as a person of interest. As the evidence mounted against him, it became clear that he had premeditated his actions.

An interrogation of Scott revealed chilling insights into his mindset. During questioning, he attempted to justify his actions by claiming Valerie had threatened to blackmail him, stating, “Things just got carried away.” The officer’s skillful questioning revealed layers of manipulation and attempted justification. Scott’s confession eventually led to the discovery that he had intended to kill Valerie to avoid blackmail, not out of a premeditated plan but a malicious response to a volatile situation.

The Aftermath

Scott ultimately accepted a plea deal, resulting in a 57-year prison sentence. The Tindle family was left reeling from the heartbreak, grappling with the loss of their daughter. "There was a hole there, and it's never going to be filled," Sheena reflected. They felt that Scott's wife, Linda, surely knew about the murder and deserved prosecution as well.

This tragic case serves as a painful reminder of the dangers that can lurk in familiar places. The relationship between Scott and Valerie was one of manipulation masked as mentorship. Beyond hiring Valerie for odd jobs, Scott provided her with money, food, and trips, which, unbeknownst to her parents, contributed to her vulnerability.

A Call for Vigilance

Valerie Tindle’s heartbreaking story highlights the importance of open communication between parents and children regarding safety and awareness. It exemplifies that threats can exist in the most familiar surroundings and emphasizes the need for vigilance about the people we know.

In this era of rising violence and betrayal, it serves as a somber reminder: sometimes, the most dangerous predators are those who wear the guise of a friend, colleague, or neighbor. Families must be proactive in discussing potential dangers with their children and remaining engaged in their lives to foster a supportive and safe environment.

As the community continues to heal from the devastation of this crime, Valerie's memory will live on as a call to action for parents everywhere.