RUSH COUNTY, Ind. — The man charged for murder in the disappearance of 17-year-old Valerie Tindall in Rush County is taking a plea deal in her killing.
Patrick Scott agreed to 57 years in prison for murder, with all other charges being dropped. He will also have to make restitution of $10,000 to Tindall's family.
The judge has not set a hearing date to consider whether or not to accept the plea deal.
Scott allegedly told police he strangled Tindall with a belt because she was "going to blackmail him."
In a court document filed Nov. 30, 59-year-old Scott allegedly told police Tindall had left her house on June 7, 2023, to go to work. During her trip to work, Scott told police that Tindall met up with him across from Shelbyville High School.
The court document states Scott drove her back to his house, which was just behind Tindall's house, when she disappeared.
After his arrest and being read his Miranda rights, Scott allegedly told police that when he and Tindall went back to his house, Tindall was "coming on to him" in an attempt to blackmail him into buying her a car.
Scott allegedly told police Tindall was trying to seduce him and he "wasn't going to have it." Investigators claim he told them that Tindall "got carried away." According to the police report, Scott said Tindall began taking off her clothes and in an attempt to fight her off, Scott took his belt off and "put it around her neck until she quit."
Police asked Scott if he had intended to kill Tindall, to which Scott allegedly replied, "No, that just kind of happened."
The court document further states that Scott told police he initially did not know what to do with Tindall's body. He allegedly told police, after her death, he drug her body into an office at the house and left it there until the next day. Investigators claim he admitted to building a box, wrapping Tindall's body in a black plastic, and placing it in the box before burying it at his adjoining property.
Scott allegedly told police he abandoned Tindall's car, took the license plate and keys and threw them into an unknown river. Investigators claim he told them he "wasn't too crazy" about having killed her.
According to the court document, officers have reason to believe – based on evidence – that Scott and Tindall's relationship was close. Scott allegedly provided Tindall with money, food, gas and also took her on trips.
Police say Scott was not truthful throughout the investigation. Scott was reportedly offering Tindall's parents support just after she was reported missing and never told his family about the incident.
Tindall's parents confirmed this after police announced the arrest, saying Scott told them Tindall had probably run away and assured them she would come home.
Police said they found human remains on Scott's property on Nov. 28. The coroner said they were positively identified as Tindall on Nov. 30.
Timeline of Tindall's disappearance
- June 7 – Valerie Tindall tells her parents she is going to work for her neighbor Patrick A. Scott.
- June 10 – Indiana State Police issues a Silver Alert for Valerie Tindall.
- Oct. 11 – Cadaver dogs search Scott's home and indicate a body somewhere.
- Oct. 12 – Police spot disturbed earth on Scott's property.
- Nov. 28 – Police search Scott's property and find a body. Scott allegedly confesses.