Sarah Buzzard. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Columbus, OH. May 19, 2025. Content unknown. SEALED.

In 2015, a young man's exploration of identity led him into a complex web of relationships that culminated in a chilling crime. Sarah Elizabeth Buzzard, entangled in a volatile domestic situation, committed a heinous act that shocked communities across state lines. This narrative examines the complex components of the case, from Buzzard's background to the legal proceedings that followed, shedding light on the profound impact of the crime on the victim's family and society at large.

The Tangled Web: The Murder of Ryan Zimmerman by Sarah Elizabeth Buzzard

Basic Information

Sarah Elizabeth Buzzard was born in 1991 in Marion, Indiana. As of 2025, she is incarcerated at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio, serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 30 years. Buzzard's criminal record includes a conviction for the aggravated murder of Ryan R. Zimmerman, a 21-year-old man from Kentucky, whom she killed and dismembered in 2015.

Background

Details about Buzzard's early life remain sparse, but records indicate she resided in Marion, Indiana, before relocating to Columbus, Ohio, with her then-husband. In 2015, Buzzard, her husband, and Naria Jenna Whitaker entered into a polyamorous relationship, cohabiting in Columbus. Buzzard's employment history is not extensively documented, and her known associations primarily revolve around her domestic partners.

Criminal Activity

In August 2015, Ryan Zimmerman moved from Corbin, Kentucky, to Columbus, Ohio, to live with Buzzard, her husband, and Whitaker. Zimmerman had connected with Buzzard's husband through social media while exploring his sexuality. On September 25, 2015, while Buzzard's husband was away, Buzzard confronted Zimmerman in their apartment. She struck him as he exited the bathroom, rendering him unconscious, and then strangled him to death. Buzzard, with Whitaker's assistance, dismembered Zimmerman's body using a saw. They disposed of his remains in various locations, including public dumpsters and a wooded area near Grand Lake St. Marys State Park in Mercer County, Ohio.

Legal Proceedings

On January 5, 2016, a passerby discovered human remains near Coldwater Creek in Mercer County, prompting an investigation. The remains were identified in June 2020 as those of Ryan Zimmerman. Buzzard was arrested on August 25, 2021, in Marion, Indiana. During the arrest, Whitaker died by suicide. Buzzard was charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated murder. In December 2021, she pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated murder as part of a plea deal, resulting in a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 30 years. She was formally sentenced on January 20, 2022.

Impact on Victims and Society

The murder of Ryan Zimmerman had a profound impact on his family, who expressed their grief and loss during court proceedings. The case drew significant media attention due to its gruesome nature and the complexities of the relationships involved. It highlighted the dangers of online interactions and the potential for domestic situations to escalate into violence.

Current Status

Sarah Buzzard is currently serving her sentence at the Ohio Reformatory for Women. There is no public record of her participation in rehabilitation programs. Given the severity of her crime, she is considered a low risk to society while incarcerated.

Conclusion

The case of Sarah Buzzard emphasizes the value of vigilance in online interactions and the need for awareness of the dynamics within unconventional domestic arrangements. It serves as a clear example of how personal relationships can devolve into tragedy when communication breaks down and jealousy takes hold.

Additional Note

Given the notoriety of the case and the rarity of such items, an autographed artifact from Sarah Buzzard would be considered a rare collectible, potentially of interest to true crime enthusiasts and collectors.

• VIDEO: Cops Make Horrific Discovery in Woman's Soup Pot | https://youtu.be/PgkpYM267vs
• VIDEO: Sarah Buzzard sentenced in Ryan Zimmerman death | https://youtu.be/wRMVV28jJtY
• VIDEO: Woman charged in case of human remains found in Ohio; 2nd suspect took her own life, police say | https://youtu.be/8KxKXH4fpaM

Archiving Protocol:

• Handled with White Gloves ab initio

• Photo Pages/Sheet Protectors: Heavyweight Clear Sheet Protectors, Acid Free & Archival Safe, 8.5 × 11, Top Load

• White Backing Board—Acid Free

Shipping/Packaging: Rigid Mailer 9.5 × 12.5. The Kraft cardboard is white, self-seal, and stay-flat, ensuring it does not bend. Heavy cardboard, which has strong resistance to bending and tearing, makes each rigid mailer sturdy. These mailers are significantly thicker than those used by the USPS. Shipping cost is never more than it absolutely has to be to get it from me to you.