What Happened to Brian?

This is one of the most interesting stories I've come across in my local area. Brian Shaffer (born February 11, 1979) was attending The Ohio State University College of Medicine, when in March of 2006 he mysteriously disappears after a night out drinking with friends. This case has been particularly puzzling due to the nature of his disappearance.

Brian Shaffer

According to all who knew him, Brian was a normal, happy go lucky guy. He was well liked by friends and family, loved tropical vacation spots and music. He had even talked with friends about starting a band after graduating. Brian received news that his mother Renee died of myelodyspasia in March 2006 and while friends say it had clearly taken a tole on him, he seemed to be handling it well.

Brian was seeing a fellow second year medical student by the name of Alexis Waggoner. It was rumored that Brian was planning to propose to Alexis on their spring break trip to Miami. He and Waggoner had been planning this trip for a while, and both were very excited to get away for a little while, especially after the death of his mother.

Now, let's get to the disappearance. Although Brian had a lot going for him, he was still a college student and what do college students do better than drink? Brian had started Spring Break celebrations early by having a steak dinner with his dad, Randy. After dinner, Brian met up with his friend William "Clint" Florence at Ugly Tuna Saloona, a bar in South Campus, around 9pm. Ugly Tuna was a well known college bar, and students often frequented it. The two had few drinks, and later decided to bar hop down High Street grabbing drinks at different locations. Eventually they would run into a mutual friend Meredith Reed. Reed gave them a ride back to Ugly Tuna to have a final drink where they had originally started. This is where things get weird.

Brian had been separated from his friends after arriving at Ugly Tuna, and the two say they looked for him, but had assumed he had gone home for the night. The following weekend Brian was not responding to any phone calls and had not returned home. Although this was suspicious, the real concern came when Brian missed his flight with girlfriend Alexis for their long planned spring break trip. He was reported missing to the Columbus Police Department and this began the never ending search.

Missing Flyers 2006

CPD started their investigation at Ugly Tuna where Brian was last seen. Due to the area being known for crime, the bar had a security camera installed in view of the entrance into and out of the building. The cameras show Shaffer, Florence and Reed entering at 1:15 am. Later Brian was seen outside of the bar talking with two young women around 1:55 am. He is seen saying goodbye to the unknown women and heading in the direction of the bar entrance again. This was the last time Brian was seen on camera.

There have been theories that Brian had allegedly "changed clothing or put on a disguise" before going in front of the camera again. This would suggest that Brian was already planning on leaving, and that he had time to observe the area for cameras, and find an extra outfit or disguise. Why would a happy college student try and disappear?

Another theory is that Brian left out of the bars only other exit, a service door not used by the public. However, at the time the door opened to a construction site that was believed to be very difficult to use while intoxicated.

Police continued their search by viewing cameras from surrounding areas with no luck. It would seem Brian had truly disappeared. After checking his apartment, just 6 blocks from Ugly Tuna, police found his car still parked, with no signs of anything unusual. Flyers were distributed in the area, all dumpsters and surrounding areas were searched, all coming up with no answers. Everyone who had been in contact with Brian that night were questioned and asked to do a polygraph. While both Meredith and Randy, Brian's Father, both passed, Florence refused to take one at all (weird right???). The two women who were seen talking with Brian outside the bar were later identified, but said they were never asked to take the polygraph.

Shaffer's girlfriend said she called his phone every evening hoping that he would pick up, but every night it went straight to voicemail. On one evening in September, Waggoner says the phone rang three times. Cingualr, the cell phone company providing service to Brian's phone said it may have been a glitch in their system. The phone was pinged in Hilliard, 14 miles northwest of Columbus.

Police received many tips over the next few years, possible sightings in Texas, Michigan, and even Sweden. Many people have joined in on the search for Brian Shaffer, including lead singer of Brian's favorite band, Pearl Jam. The family of Brian always maintained their suspicion of Clint Florence, stating they found it strange he never came forward to take the polygraph. In a statement from Florence's lawyer, he felt that he had given all the information he needed, and believed that Brian should "come forward and end this," as he thinks Brian is still alive.

Brian was also thought to be a victim of the Smiley Face Killer, a group of murderers who drown young men in local bodies of water from the late 1990's to the 2010s. They were all marked by a graffiti smiley face near where the bodies were discovered. Most were meant to look like accidental drownings, but police later realized they all showed signs of a struggle. This theory was never fully followed up as all the other victims bodies were discovered shortly after being killed.

So what do you think about the disappearance of Brian Shaffer? There are still many news articles being written, and CPD say they receive at least 2 calls a month on the tip line regarding this case.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, or send me a story you'd like me to cover.