Man Arrested in Indiana After Discovery of Missing Teen Girl’s Body

Authorities Find Body of Valerie Tindall in Neighbor’s Backyard

In a shocking turn of events, law enforcement officials in Rush County, Indiana, have arrested a man after a thorough search of his residence led to the discovery of the remains of Valerie Tindall, a 17-year-old girl who had been missing since June. According to a report by CNN, the Rush County Sheriff’s Office found Tindall’s body buried in the backyard of her neighbor’s house on Tuesday.

Neighbor Identified as Person of Interest

The neighbor, identified as Patrick Allen Scott, a 59-year-old individual, had previously been considered a person of interest in the ongoing investigation, as reported by WVLT. The police conducted a search of Scott’s property in Arlington, where they ultimately discovered the teenager’s remains.

Identification Based on Nail Polish

Authorities were able to positively identify Valerie Tindall after noticing her distinctive orange fingernails, which matched the nail polish she had been wearing at the time of her disappearance. This crucial piece of evidence was mentioned in a social media post on June 7. However, the cause of the young girl’s death is yet to be determined by the Rush County Coroner’s Office.

Admission of Guilt

In a startling revelation, Patrick Allen Scott confessed to the murder of Valerie Tindall on June 7. The perpetrator had a previous professional connection with the victim, as he owned a lawn mowing business where Tindall used to work, as reported by CNN.

Initially, during the investigation, Scott denied having any knowledge of Tindall’s whereabouts or her employment status on the day of her disappearance. However, he later changed his statement while being interviewed by investigators from the Rush County Sheriff’s Office. Scott admitted to strangling Tindall with a belt following an argument inside his residence, according to a detailed criminal report.

Concealment of the Body

Scott went on to disclose to the authorities that he wrapped Tindall’s lifeless body in black plastic the day after the altercation and placed it inside a self-constructed box. Subsequently, he took the box to his backyard, where he discreetly buried it, hoping to conceal his heinous crime.

Attempted Support and Arrest

In a disturbing twist, Scott and his wife visited the Tindall family’s residence on June 7, under the guise of providing support during their time of distress. Little did the family know that the man they trusted had been responsible for their daughter’s untimely demise.

Presently, Patrick Allen Scott faces multiple charges, including murder, obstruction of justice, and providing false statements to law enforcement. He is currently being held without bond at the Rush County Jail, pending further legal proceedings.