Teen Found Dead After Disappearance

Source: KiddNation / Kidd Nation

INDIANAPOLIS –A 15-year-old girl reported missing on Feb. 10 was found dead Saturday near railroad tracks on the west side of Indianapolis.

The Marion County Coroner’s Office says Shaylee Snyder was found around 2:12 p.m. at 1800 S. Sigsbee Street, near South High School Road and West Minnesota Street. The cause of death is still under investigation.

Indianapolis police are treating the case as a death investigation for now, but that could change depending on the coroner’s findings.

Shaylee’s family suspects foul play. Her aunt believes she may have met someone online and left to meet him. Near where her body was found, police also discovered a burned 2016 black Chevrolet sedan, which the family thinks is connected to her death.

The family had been searching for Shaylee for 15 days, handing out flyers and believing she was in the Beech Grove area. They’re frustrated with investigators, saying police didn’t take the case seriously.

Shaylee’s family is devastated and waiting for answers.

IMPD’s homicide unit is investigating. Detectives can be reached at 317-327-3475.

On the afternoon of February 10, 2025, Shaylee Snyder was reported as a runaway to IMPD. The case was assigned to IMPD Missing Persons Detectives the following day. On February 12, 2025, detectives met in-person with the family and gathered more information about the circumstances of Shaylee leaving home. During that meeting, detectives learned from family that Shaylee had no known medical conditions or had no information at the time to believe she was in immediate danger. The family informed detectives that Shaylee had left home without her cell phone or any form of technology that could be used to track her location.

On February 22, 2025, IMPD officers were called to the 1800 block of Sigsbee for a death investigation. Homicide detectives responded to the scene to begin the investigation due to the location and the unknown circumstances of the death. Detectives have conducted multiple canvasses of the area and obtained video footage, which they continue to review. Investigators also have additional follow-up canvasses planned for this week.

On February 25th, the Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Shaylee Snyder. The manner and cause of death is still pending. Homicide detectives have spoken with the family and the case remains an active investigation.

Investigators are asking anyone who had contact with Shaylee after she was reported missing to come forward and speak with the lead detective.