05/29/2026
In recognition of Missing Persons Month, we are continuing to share the stories of those who are still missing, because they are not forgotten.
On March 5, 2023, 26-year-old Sara Ebersole was reported missing by her roommate. Sara’s last known contact with family or friends occurred on March 2, 2023, when Sara texted her half-sister, Michelle, asking for a ride. After Michelle informed Sara that she could not give her a ride, Sara texted Michelle indicating she was hanging out with some guys in a lifted truck.
During the early stages of the investigation, Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes detectives became involved due to suspicious circumstances surrounding Sara’s disappearance. Through the investigation, detectives determined Sara was given a ride from a convenience store in Reddick to a residence on North U.S. Highway 441 to hang out with James Robinson, James Schaller, and Teesha McDermitt. Detectives later developed information indicating Sara left that residence sometime after midnight with Tyrone Morman.
As the investigation progressed, Detective Stith spoke with Morman, who initially stated that he never had any contact with Sara and was not in town during her disappearance. Having witnesses to the contrary, Detective Stith obtained a search warrant for Morman’s cell phone. Morman claimed that he had broken his phone and threw it out. However, Detective Stith had a witness who stated Morman still possessed his cell phone. Another warrant was obtained to search Morman's home and seize the phone, and Morman eventually turned the phone over. Due to Morman giving law enforcement false information, he was arrested.
Following search warrants and witness statements, detectives recovered evidence placing Sara and Morman together at a 24-hour convenience store in northwest Marion County during the early morning hours of March 3, 2023. Morman remains a person of interest in Sara’s disappearance and has declined to cooperate further with investigators.
Detectives have also thoroughly investigated information involving Joseph Mayton and determined that many claims circulating publicly and provided to detectives were unfounded and unsubstantiated. Mr. Mayton is not considered a person of interest in this case.
While we understand the public’s desire to help bring Sara home, the spread of misinformation, inflammatory comments, and independent efforts to conduct parallel investigations have complicated investigative efforts. Detectives have encountered situations where individuals who may have helpful information have expressed hesitation in providing information out of concern for potential online harassment.
Additionally, when evidence or items are collected, moved, or handled by members of the public outside established legal procedures, that material may not be admissible or usable in a criminal investigation. Some requests being made publicly would also require law enforcement to violate the law and constitutional rights, which investigators cannot and will not do.
With the support and agreement of Sara’s next of kin, and in the interest of protecting the integrity of the investigation while encouraging individuals to come forward, no additional information will be released at this time unless it is deemed necessary to assist in bringing Sara home.
We continue to urge anyone with credible information related to Sara’s disappearance to contact our Major Crimes detectives at 352-732-9111 or submit tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP.
