Peru, Nebraska – December 3, 2010: What began as a short walk home turned into a tragedy that continues to haunt a small Nebraska town. Tyler Marie Thomas, a 19-year-old student at Peru State College, vanished while walking back to her dorm after attending an off-campus party—just steps away from safety.
Though a suspect was eventually convicted, Tyler’s body has never been found. Her disappearance remains one of the most heartbreaking and haunting college mysteries in recent U.S. history.
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What Happened That Night
It was the early morning of December 3, 2010, around 1:30 a.m., when Tyler Thomas was last seen walking toward her dorm after attending a party nearby. Surveillance footage captured her crossing the quiet campus, the lights of her dorm glowing in the distance. Moments later, she was gone.
Before vanishing, Tyler sent a chilling final text message to a friend:
“I don’t know where I am.”
When she didn’t return, her friends began searching frantically before contacting the police around 3:00 a.m. Despite immediate search efforts by campus security and law enforcement, no trace of Tyler was found. What began as a missing person case soon evolved into a complex and heartbreaking criminal investigation.
Investigation: A Disturbing Discovery
Days after her disappearance, investigators turned their attention to Joshua Keadle, a 29-year-old fellow student at Peru State College. His inconsistent statements and suspicious behavior quickly raised red flags.
Keadle initially denied involvement, but later admitted to being with Tyler that night. In one version of his story, he claimed to have driven her to the Missouri River and had what he described as “consensual sex” before leaving her there.
Detectives discovered tire tracks matching his vehicle and drag marks near the campus boat dock that led directly into the river. Despite extensive searches by divers, Tyler’s body was never recovered.
In 2013, Tyler was legally declared dead, though her family continued to hold out hope for answers.
Justice Delayed: The Conviction of Joshua Keadle
It wasn’t until 2017—seven years after Tyler’s disappearance—that prosecutors formally charged Joshua Keadle with second-degree murder. After a lengthy legal process, he was finally convicted in 2020.
For Tyler’s family, the conviction brought a measure of justice but not closure. Without her remains, they could not lay her to rest. To this day, many believe that Tyler’s body lies somewhere in the depths of the Missouri River, lost but not forgotten.
A Family’s Relentless Fight for Justice
Tyler’s parents, Latanya Thomas and Kevin Simmons, refused to let their daughter’s story fade into silence. In 2016, they filed a civil lawsuit against Keadle, accusing him of kidnapping, rape, and murder.
A jury later awarded the family $2.64 billion in damages, including $2.4 billion in punitive damages—a verdict meant to represent both the magnitude of their loss and the cruelty of Keadle’s actions. Although they will never see the money, the ruling carried a powerful message:
Tyler’s life mattered.
Latanya continues to speak publicly about her daughter’s case, advocating for campus safety, violence prevention, and justice for missing women of color.
The Legacy of Tyler Marie Thomas
Affectionately known as “Ty,” Tyler Marie Thomas was a bright, loving, and ambitious young woman with dreams of earning a degree and building a better future. Standing 5’5” tall, weighing 140 pounds, and remembered for her radiant smile, Tyler was deeply loved by her family and friends.
Her disappearance shed light on the vulnerabilities faced by young women on college campuses and the urgent need for timely investigative responses in missing person cases. Her story continues to inspire activism, awareness, and conversations about the safety of students across America.
Ongoing Call for Hope and Information
Though a conviction has been made, the case remains open as investigators and Tyler’s family continue to seek her remains. Authorities believe someone may still hold crucial information about her final moments.
Anyone with knowledge related to the case is urged to contact the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office at 402-274-3139. Every piece of information, no matter how small, could bring her family closer to peace.
Remembering Tyler
Each December, Tyler’s loved ones gather for a vigil in her memory, lighting candles and sharing stories about the young woman whose life was stolen too soon.
She was just walking home.
She was just 19 years old.
And someone decided she would never see another day.
Tyler’s legacy endures through those who refuse to forget her—her family, her friends, and a community determined to see justice fully served.
This story may be updated as more information becomes available.
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