Patrick Scott Charged with Murder in Connection with Disappearance of Valerie Tindall: Human Remains Found on Indiana Property

Accident – Death – Obituary News : A shocking development has emerged in the case of 17-year-old Valerie Tindall, who went missing on June 7. Patrick Scott, a 59-year-old man and the owner of a lawn mowing business, has been charged with murder in connection with her disappearance. The investigation took a grim turn when human remains were discovered buried in a pit on Scott’s property in central Indiana.

During an initial hearing at Rush County Circuit Court, Scott was also charged with obstruction of justice and false informing. He was subsequently ordered to be held without bond. A public defender has been appointed to represent him in court. The Rush County Public Defender’s office declined to comment on the case.

The discovery of the human remains was made after cadaver-sniffing dogs indicated the smell of decomposition near Scott’s property. Police conducted a search, which led them to a large dirt pile and debris. Using shovels, they uncovered a rectangular box wrapped in tarp. Inside the box were the human remains, which included fingernails painted with orange polish. This detail is significant as a photo posted on social media on June 7 showed Tindall with orange-colored nails.

While the remains have not been officially identified as those of Valerie Tindall, Rush County Sheriff Allan Rice stated that it is likely they belong to her. The Rush County Coroner’s office has been contacted for further information regarding the identification of the remains.

The community of Arlington, where Tindall and Scott reside, is approximately 30 miles southeast of Indianapolis. Tindall’s parents last saw her on June 7 when she told them she was going to work for Scott. Court documents revealed that Tindall met Scott that day and he drove her back to his home in the early afternoon.

The investigation took a turn in October when cadaver-sniffing dogs detected the smell of decomposition in a pond near Scott’s property. However, a subsequent search yielded no results. One of the dog handlers informed the police that water can retain odors, suggesting that the smell may have originated from runoff into the pond.

The arrest of Scott brings a sense of closure to Tindall’s family, but Sheriff Rice emphasized that the case is far from over and that justice will be sought. In a surprising twist, Scott confessed to investigators that he had strangled Tindall with his belt in the bedroom of his home. He claimed that she had attempted to blackmail and seduce him.

Shena Sandefur, Tindall’s mother, spoke to WRTV-TV and expressed her shock and disbelief. Sandefur described Scott as someone the family trusted, as Tindall worked for him and spent time with his family, even going on outings together.

The tragic circumstances surrounding Valerie Tindall’s disappearance and the subsequent discovery of human remains have left the community in shock. As the investigation continues, the hope for justice remains, but the pain of losing a young life under such circumstances lingers..