Did a Sheriff Cover Up the Murder of Brandon Lawson?

[@synapticfreeze2189]

Running into somebody where I grew up is the same as Running across somebody or randomly meeting an acquaintance or friend or anyone in general for that matter.

[@sleepingisdifficult]

Yeah, "totally ran into them," implies that it was an unavoidable encounter. Meaning he couldn't avoid them,or they actively sought him out.

[@synapticfreeze2189]

@sleepingisdifficult your not an 80's kid are you

[@hopelessromantic3786]

Yeah, I thought that was a common way to refer to casually seeing someone you weren't expecting to. Is it a midwest thing?

[@Widespread-Panic]

@@hopelessromantic3786 - Nah, I was born in FL, raised in KY, lived in NE, OH, NC, SC, and now GA. That's what it's meant anywhere I ever lived.

[@zendarx2]

​@hopelessromantic3786 I live in Ohio and that's the only way I've ever heard anyone use that term.

[@TwilightWolf2508]

So, just like with "putting the dogs up," you're misunderstanding how people speak -in the South- again. He wasn't saying he crashed or hit someone. He said he "ran into them," as in he encountered them. Example: "I ran into Bob at the store today, he was buying nachos." He was saying he ran out of gas and was walking through a field, he encountered some guys he wouldnt be able to talk things out with, and was now being followed by them. The dispatcher also misunderstood and thought he said he crashed into them, hence why he laughed when she asked about the ambulance.

[@alyasfukename3355]

Is that a southern thing? Genuinely asking. I have a lot of southern sayings passed down from my family but grew up further north, so I'm often unaware.

[@johnscustomsaws]

How on earth did you hit Bob with your truck while he was in line to grab some delicious nachos??? Hope old boy is alright...

[@Jim-Mc]

@@TwilightWolf2508 Can confirm, I'm from Tennessee and almost fully understand him. He 'ran into' something going on with the sheriff he misidentified as a state trooper, 'strooper' that he wasn't supposed to see. He saw him kill someone 'shot the first guy' and took off running. Or at least he truly thought thats what he saw at the time, due to meth.

[@karadevlieger6560]

ran into means encountered everywhere not just the south.

[@lynpatricia6854]

Not a southern thing, I'm from the northeast I've used the phrase.

[@kasag37]

He says " im in the middle of a field, i got into a scrape with some guys that pushed me over, theres no talking to them. I need the cops" being from the south i will translate this. " im in the middle of a field , i got into a argument with some guys , there was a road rage incident. I need the cops now im in trouble. " thats why he kinda chuckled when she asked if he needed a ambulance..because at the time he did not but things were escalating quickly. If he had some trafficking charges he might have owed some money to someone that was following him trying to get there money from him...or out of him..if you have ever been in that situation you know what i mean Edit he says they were on both sides...meaning they had him boxed in..he encountered some people..im guessing when he stopped for gas. Got into a argument with them. They chased him..boxed him in...ran him off the road...got out and went after him...he got away from one of them ...but they caught up with him .

[@MrDeanWeen]

It was his brother that went to the gas station.

[@carolallison9685]

He was high and those people were made up. There was no damage to his vehicle. He probably thought it was the imaginary mexicans his wife hired to kill him because they had an argument over the dishes. I take it you haven't been around a lot of meth users before.

[@hopelessromantic3786]

I also hear when she says, "oh so you ran into them?" I think he says, "not/it ain't the first time." Implying, if I heard right, that he had seen these guys before.

[@kasag37]

​@@MrDeanWeenif he ran out of gas likely he knew he was low on gas..like looking at his gas guage..his fuel light coming on...I think when he got low on gas he stopped at a station to get gas...in the process ran into someone that had been looking for him..then jumped back in his truck and took off without getting gas...with those people chasing him

[@mr_h831]

​@@kasag37Guy there's nothing out there on that road he was on for MILES, mattis literally mentions the nearest gas station was 30 miles away in either direction from where he ran out. There is zero way he was getting gas. However, your southern translation is fairly on point, I actually live in the state this occured and I grew up in this state, running into someone doesn't mean you literally ran into them like with a vehicle or whatever, it's you met someone by accident, usually someone you know or recognize. Which definitely puts some kind of spin on this story. His brother said that he (Brandon) thought that his wife was having some Mexican lads run him out of town. He may have, therefore, known these Mexican folks, and also recognized them. Why he was bleeding could be because he did get into a scrape, that's not a bad explanation. He could've been in a fight with these folks. However, I also know how petty local law enforcement can be. If there WAS any foul play AT ALL in the sheriff's department, there's no way it wasn't covered up. He could've easily said state trooper aswell. Most of our law enforcement in this state is pretty good, but sheriff is an elected position in Texas, that fucker is a politician first. Meaning, he might've covered up a really bad blunder on the part of one of his officers, or even worse, he might've been involved in crime himself, and covered that up. Got his wife in on it too which just sucks ngl. Even Walter fucking white, the worst criminal in the history of suburban fiction, tried to keep his wife out of his crimes. I posit a few theories: Theory 1: Brandon was being pursued by police as apart of some kind of cover up, Brandon knew something they didn't want him to know, and they killed him. Theory 2: Brandon was killed by a couple of drug dealers he owed money, who were willing to stalk and chase him even to the middle of nowhere. There they killed him for not being able to pay. He might've even gotten these drugs from a local gang or cartel, which could further explain the death. Theory 3: Brandon was actually and genuinely high on something, had some serious paranoia, and hallucinated seeing several cops chasing after him. In his sprint in the forest, he damages himself pretty badly and begins to bleed out. He dies of exposure after several confusing phone calls with his brother, and even 911. And that's all I've got.

[@klbriceno1]

as a former meth head, I can definitely attest meth induced psychosis is a real thing. You get too high, or have been up for a while and paranoia sets in very easily.

[@I-AM-Awsome-Too]

I would just like to add when you stated "up for a while" this usually means for several days in a row. Brandon says he was sober and not on drugs, this does not mean he had sleep. Why would you call your brother a Mother F'er for not running from the police, unless he had some delusions? Just a thought.

[@TooljunkieDave5215]

Exactly I’ve been high and up for a couple days and I definitely needed a nap and a sandwich. Hot shower too. Then I’d sober up. Then ask myself why tf I was so damn paranoid.

[@stunytsuR]

Paranoia was real, and scary as shit. So happy to be off that shit

[@michaelhowell2326]

​@@I-AM-Awsome-Too the one and only time I've ever had hallucinations on meth I hadn't been up any irregular time or amount. It was some very wild stuff. I'm so glad that stuff didn't get me like it does others.

[@PandamoniuGaming]

Meth psychosis and driving down a stretch of highway at night that's known for street racing could definitely make someone think they're being chased and shot at (the thinking you're being shot at during psychosis would be due to the launch control and anti lag on every car in that area used for street racing because anti lag sounds exactly like gunshots sometimes)

[@Geekylori]

The really crazy thing is how people with 4 children under the age of 10 have the energy to be running around in the middle of the night.

[@GrandpasRevenge43]

Drugs

[@LKMNOP]

Could be his wife was the one who did everything with the kids.

[@Geekylori]

@@GrandpasRevenge43yeah meth. Just got to that part.

[@Geekylori]

@@LKMNOPoh yeah. I absolutely believe that’s true but she was still up pretty late answering text messages.

[@DoomGoy88]

Meth is capable of some incredible things

[@michellecone6775]

Unfortunately, all of his behaviors, even calling the cops, and then hiding from them, is all typical of someone on meth.

[@theredknight9314]

Clearly, this is a sign of the cryptid Methfoot.

[@tylerdavis3]

Yep. This is 100% a meth issue. I live within an hour or an hour and a half of this area, this was definitely a case of methin around.

[@Richard-j3z]

Not typical but possible

[@sadtaco9507]

He was still a person. A father. He deserved help not judgement.

[@Richard-j3z]

@@sadtaco9507 agreed

[@LocalLegendsBertonMoran]

Thank you again for Having me on!

[@lolalalia4119]

Glad to see you on here! Love your channel. You're doing great things.

[@LocalLegendsBertonMoran]

@lolalalia4119 Thank You! The Lore Lodge is an amazing channel and I am very thankful/excited that they gave me a chance to talk about this case

[@meganthearchitectbrown1111]

You were great, man! Thanks for helping put together this awesome episode!❤❤

[@SelaDanae]

I’ve seen a handful of other videos about this case and thought I was pretty familiar with the details, but this is the first time I’ve heard anyone talk about the articles that were put out by the local newspaper, or that the paper was owned by the sheriff’s wife. That aspect takes this whole thing to the next level of wtf.

[@mindicoyner6708]

This!! I'm really confused about the whole newspaper situation. It's bizarre.

[@a.nobodys.nobody]

Yeah weird since, if true, is a cornerstone of the case. How was that looked over?

[@patriciajrs46]

Yes. Why do we usually get only pieces of these stories.

[@haleyd2951]

​@@patriciajrs46 Because youtubers or crime authors don't always have access to that information. They just may not be allowed access as in police refuse to release any information or they just don't do their due diligence like Aidan and dig deeper.

[@b4uc2far95]

I’ve heard this story multiple times but I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’m hearing that the call Brandon made to 911 occurred prior to his brother or the police showing up at his truck. Great investigative work. This definitely gives me more to think about and take into consideration. Thanks brother. God bless.

[@Christophercolumbo1970]

Im glad to see his story is still being put out there for others to know about and Ive been following his case since it first happened and thankful his family finally got some answers and I will always believe that the sheriff and his wife who owns the town newspaper should be ashamed of themselves.

[@TheLoreLodge]

A large part of this video is us clowning the Sheriff’s wife

[@Christophercolumbo1970]

@TheLoreLodge Thank you for that because people need to know and I love your channel and appreciate all the work you do to make people aware of these cases.

[@osirisatot19]

I don't think cops can feel shame tbh.

[@Christophercolumbo1970]

@@osirisatot19 I think the majority of them do their best but no doubt we will usually only hear about the ones who dont and in this case a person is only getting help if Sheriff Mccutchen feels that someone is worthy of his help and because Mr Lawson had a history of drugs he was deemed not worthy. It really makes me wonder what else he has done or not done while in position of sheriff. Very sad

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

​@@osirisatot19 Local police in particular tend to have "big fish in a small pond" syndrome - where they feel like they don't have to answer to anyone because much of the time, they don't.

[@13donstalos]

Okay, I just need to say this: Füm = Foom Fūm = Fume Thank you for coming to my TED Talk

[@poolhalljunkie9]

No matter how you say it it's still a scam.

[@poolhalljunkie9]

No matter how you say it it's still a scam. (If this posts twice, my bad, the first didn't show up for me)

[@CodyHomes]

How is it a scam?

[@orphanedhanyou]

​@poolhalljunkie9 yet it works for plenty of people?

[@ShalaJC]

I believed the sheriff was lying until the brother said he was on meth. I have too much experience with meth, my brother hid under the house for 4 days, saying over and over that the police were in the woods surrounding our house. No food, no water, nothing. About 6 months later, my brother stopped by the apartment i lived in and needed a place to stay for a couple days, for 2 days he stared out of the 2nd floor window onto the parking lot saying "men were watching us". Over, and over, and over, until i had to kick him from my apartment. Hes been in prison for a decade now... Meth is supernatural.

[@meganthearchitectbrown1111]

It made me do things I should kill myself for. I'd NEVER FKN DO THAT in my right mind. I could throw up typing this. I make myself pay, though. Supernatural, YEAH!

[@TheRebelliousPrince77]

Why is it legal? It should be banned completely!

[@heathernikki5734]

@@TheRebelliousPrince77it isn’t legal

[@TheRebelliousPrince77]

@@heathernikki5734 Then why is it even allowed? How is it even in the country?

[@cctaryn576]

@@TheRebelliousPrince77 idk if you know about drug cartels and smugglers but theres your answer oh and also corrupt higher ups

[@JCJeffrey]

From personal experience, I been high on drugs and thought the cops were chasing me. I parked my car, went into the field and was trying to “wait” the cops out. I was scraped up pretty badly on some construction tools left in this grassy field. Worse part, I was so high and paranoid, it felt like I was having a heart attack. I think this is what we are looking at here, except it sounds like this dude most likely went into cardiac arrest and died in the field. Especially since he passed the drug test and was starting a new job making a lot of money, you are going to take “celebration” dosage of drugs, this is what did him in.

[@pandat581]

My medication and the w**d I smoked once triggered a paranoid episode where I also thought the cops were chasing me and I ran out onto the street in the middle of the night barefoot in winter to "escape", so I can see how he might've been feeling the same

[@derekmcmanus8615]

​@pandat581 I once was so tired on nightshift that I saw a figure in black standing on the other side of my desk...no drugs

[@st4rd3str0y3r]

Hell, one time I took dayquil, fell asleep, and woke up with a compulsion to get in my car and drive. I told No one and drove for 2 hours away from my house. If I had encountered something dangerous, I'd be the subject of one of these videos.

[@TeganWelsch-Rainek]

I agree something along those lines

[@13donstalos]

Meth is a helluva drug

[@mikehipps1015]

If he was on meth then it's absolutely plausible that he was hallucinating (enough time without sleep will do crazy things to your brain, I assure you) and acting irrationally.

[@LieutenantTickles]

He may not even have been hallucinating. He could have been seeing completely normal things (Mexicans in his neighborhood, cars following him on a road) and his insane paranoia convinced him he was being followed.

[@Rapture-Asuka]

How's the newspaper owned by the sheriff going?

[@dryciderz]

I heard it's common in their industry too

[@bloodyneptune]

And honestly, If I had taken a substance, genuinely believed I was in danger and needed immediate help, and I got asked "are you high?" my answer definitely would not be "yes but trust me, its real" no, because I dont want them hesitating in getting me help, because _I_ think its real

[@skeletor2994]

​@LieutenantTickles This 100%. If someone has family history of schizophrenia meth can bring it out 10 fold. I've seen it first hand.

[@Kerryjotx]

His high school friend should be commended for finding his location. I heard an interview with him recently about how much time he had spent (years) on this case.

[@danjohnson3445]

If there were so many people and Texas Rangers and planes and helicopters and dogs and supposedly a FLIR CAMERA WHY OR HOW DID IT TAKE SO LONG TO FIND THIS GUY

[@CodyHomes]

Paranormal involvement maybe? Wanting to make sure he's heading to a morge for his next medical appointment? Maybe both?

[@herstoryanimated]

​@@danjohnson3445 Sky search is limited vs ground search, it's easy to miss things. If he died pretty much at the time he went missing, then he would be cold/background temperature so wouldn't stand out on FLIR. For the dogs, did they take them over the private land? Or just up/down the road? Something tells me they didn't try very hard on the ground searches.

[@quarkCharm]

I’ve been fascinated by this case for years, and I have NEVER heard some of the information you all have included. You all are thorough and research so well! I always know I’ll be getting a well rounded view of a case that I can’t find anywhere else.

[@a.nobodys.nobody]

Had you heard about the sheriff's wife and her FB activities?

[@quarkCharm]

Nope, had not. It’s crazy it’s not popped up in some of the “deep dives” I’ve listened to!

[@MatthewsPersonal]

As a former resident, when he mentioned Abiline, I knew exactly what he meant lol. There are only three towns near San Angelo. Abilene, Odessa, and the Midlands. They are convenient direction givers. Also the police are a bit corrupt in San Angelo. A few years ago a case of police abuse blew up online

[@Balrog-tf3bg]

Southern rural cops are something else

[@manda.watching.YouTube]

I knew what he meant too! A lot of people don’t always know which way is North, East, South, or West. And if you’re in trouble it feels safer to say a town in case the person you’re talking to doesn’t know.

[@theauthenticwaffle651]

Bro's got to have many dollars judging by the amount of nickels he's collected.

[@Kuwaitisnot_adeployment]

He would have without a doubt ran his name and plates and arrested him. That reporter was full of shi+

[@davidbiagi2932]

Not necessarily if his brother was already there when the cop got there and was talking to him and told him it was his brothers truck. Now if the cop had shown up and found the truck by himself and nobody around, then yeah he most likely would have ran the plates. Either way, it doesn’t really have anything to do with what happened. Dude was just a meth head that was probably running on no sleep and seeing shit and took off running.

[@jamesball8519]

Facts

[@jamesball8519]

​@@davidbiagi2932they always check names and warrants

[@justinhunter9484]

Yup... Most rural Texas cops are going to see that guy as a drug dealer with that warrant. I'm surprised they didn't tow the truck to try to get him to show up.

[@MTurner504]

given the "reporter" was the sherriff's Wife.....she was indeed a shit bag😂

[@renoblount3555]

I can absolutely believe a guy tweaking on meth would vehemently deny being on it, get desperately paranoid, call the cops then hide from them and slur together state trooper in a panic. But unless something bit him in the field/OD, someone probably shot him.

[@rumpeltyltskyn]

Can't meth cause hyperthermia in some cases? My other guess is a fall or something along those lines, hit his head maybe.

[@trashcant69]

@@rumpeltyltskyntake this with a grain of salt, but alcohol for example, lowers your core body temperature, as it widens your veins and arteries. This is actually the reason so many homeless people freeze during the winter. Maybe Meth has a similar effect?

[@rumpeltyltskyn]

@@trashcant69 Meth, from what I’ve heard (not an expert) raises body temp significantly. Not sure by what means tho.

[@rhapsody98]

In the middle of nowhere like that? I wonder if he startled the wrong rattlesnake.

[@trashcant69]

@@rhapsody98 they did a stream recently with the private investigator who found the remains, and he confirmed that the area is full of rattlesnakes. He does not outright state his own theory as to what happened, but also makes it clear that he does not think that foul play was involved. It’s very likely that he had a meth and sleep deprivation induced psychosis and ran into a field (that in actuality was more like thick brush and not a bunch of grass) where he was bitten by a rattlesnake and succumbed to the venom.

[@SuperJimmie21]

Ya'll should do more true crime content. You're re really good at getting all if not most information out there.

[@pandat581]

Agreed!

[@AJOlaks]

There is always a disproportionate chance in cases like these where the police ARE actually hiding something

[@LieutenantTickles]

I think the only thing they’ve tried to hide is their own incompetence. Waiting 15 minutes to return a dropped 911 call is a massive failure.

[@davidbiagi2932]

Ehhh this doesn’t seem to be an incident where the cops were involved in any way.

[@Nomadicah]

Doesn’t make sense either. Why would he tell his brother at his truck to run from the cop of it wasn’t a cop that was in the field? Did he have a second cop with him that was out there in the field chasing Brandon around while his partner went to stall up Kyle?

[@christophernunnally3907]

I can personally tell you, from doing dirty business with cops for years, that they are always hiding something… they will lie, even when there’s no need to lie… I have seen it over and over again!!!

[@TwilightWolf2508]

@@Nomadicah Because he was on meth

[@regulark1071]

Heading out on a 3 hour drive on an empty tank is very meth behavior

[@korycoleman8971]

Lol 😂your not wrong there lmao 😂

[@Kramillion]

or its, 'i just got in a fight with my wife and need to spend time with family for both of us to cool off' behavior.

[@Sarcypoo]

Or undiagnosed mental health issues. ​@@Kramillion

[@korycoleman8971]

@Kramillion never thought about that,that is great point, this is why domestic abuse calls get cops hurt the most,so unpredictable and erratic,

[@Son-of-Tyr]

This is one of the few channels of which I actually anticipate uploads. Great content guys.

[@noskcaj117]

The unintelligible word could be stater, common slang for state trooper in some places

[@TheLoreLodge]

Looked into it, doesn’t seem that this is common in Texas or at least this part. I could be wrong though.

[@noskcaj117]

​@@TheLoreLodge you'd know better than me, I've put in exactly 0 research into Texas slang

[@LieutenantTickles]

I’ve heard “statie” in the south but never “stater”. I’ve never been to TX though.

[@gaminginanutshell7890]

I’m from the Fort Worth area where Brandon grew up and have never heard anybody use Stater or Statie, trooper is the most common phrasing.

[@chadrowe8452]

Stater hater or ranger danger ​@@LieutenantTickles

[@pamsauder668]

Isn’t that a conflict of interest if she runs the paper and he is sheriff? 😂

[@jmac77]

No

[@dustinw115]

Yes. Yes it is.

[@jmac77]

@dustinw115 how is it? It's not legally conflicting. It may be biased but aren't they all?

[@dustinw115]

@@jmac77 Have you looked up the definition of conflict of interest? The wife of the sheriff was publishing articles while knowingly withholding details because her husband was involved in the case. Not to mention the fact that she deleted anything that was calling into question the “official narrative” and being openly hostile to anyone else that was actively looking into the case because it made her husband’s department look bad. This is a clear cut example of conflict of interest.

[@DeliveryMcGee]

@@jmac77 Ethically conflicting. Part of the job of good journalists is to keep a critical eye on the cops.

[@miltondelacruz7033]

New lenses? New camera? New angle on lights? The depth of field and contrast feel super tuned in on this one. Looks great.

[@TeganWelsch-Rainek]

The only thing that bugs me about this case is the cops didn’t reach out to the landowner originally. They made assumptions Brandon left the area. There’s no excuse he could’ve been found way quicker possibly alive.

[@rayumbo]

I am Abilene, Tx born and raised. This case was super weird at the time and is still insane the way it all went downs

[@dukeofengland]

Something very wrong with this case in my opinion, and the 911 call not even going through to the police is unbelievable,the sheriff needs questioning.

[@patriciajrs46]

Who said the 911 call didn't go through to the police? Hmm. The newspaper from the sheriff's wife's point of view seems truly cagey and suspicious. Cfooked cops!!!! Now, poor Brandon is dead.

[@dukeofengland]

@@patriciajrs46 The narrator said the call didn't go straight through to the police station,it went somewhere else first,then was diverted to police, unless I heard it wrong,but I'm sure I didn't.

[@Jim-Mc]

"State Trooper" fits the context of pulled over, stopped, and even "shot the first guy." It's definitely possible he just misidentified them and it was a sheriff.

[@joeyjohnson6322]

It fits to them being on both sides and why there is no record of his call not being responded to.

[@katmack4215]

I've always thought he said.."shot the first guy" as well. 🫤

[@sirllamaiii9708]

That explains why the sheriff's wife would cover so hard for him

[@branchtana315]

That's what I assumed. A lot of people will default to calling any law enforcement by a certain department name if they aren't sure what jurisdiction they're from. Also when he said they're heading a certain direction "on both sides" it sounds to me as if there are at least 2 people searching for him, with one waking each shoulder of the road.

[@MattL-dl2su]

There was also alot about him possibly being an informant, some guy who said he worked with brandon said a couple months later all the guys that worked on brandons crew got arrested

[@WellplyD]

Someone should ask someone that works on an oil rig. If any of the job positions on Brandon’s crew have a name that sounds like that muffled word.

[@danaparsonsliquidcosmosart2669]

Why didn't the police ask the landowner if they coild search?.. seems weird especially as the landowner gave permission immediately

[@mattgraham1983]

I agree and giving judges rubber stamp search warrants they very easily could have obtained one

[@itscjhey]

The idea was being tossed around a couple discussion boards that the land had actually changed owners, and that was the reason for asking again, but I never saw a source for that. I'd be interested in whether the Lore Lodge crew read the same and/or checked that out.

[@Rick-w2o]

Do they even need permission to search for a missing person that may be injured/harmed?

[@juliana.x0x0]

@@Rick-w2o​​⁠yes. Private property generally needs a warrant unless there are exigent circumstances. Those include "hot pursuit of a suspect", destruction of evidence, or someone inside a home is suspected of being actively in danger or having a medical emergency. They'd have to have probable cause (objective facts that point to a crime being committed) to suspect that he was on a particular property, to even secure a search warrant. But without that, there's not much they can do. Private property generally has pretty good protections against searches (unless it's a car out on the roadway).

[@patriciajrs46]

​@@Rick-w2oMaybe not, because all they need is probable cause.

[@coltthompson8111]

Dad advice. If you are going to pick up someone you think is mad and on drugs. Do not bring your wife and child!

[@ferrisbueller9991]

I'm saving my poop for when this vid is ready cant poop without my lore

[@katiedaniels9803]

me but doing my makeup

[@JuliusSqueezer110]

@@katiedaniels9803🤡🤡🤡

[@1-eye-willy]

i used to know this dude who couldnt poop without smoking crack😂

[@JuliusSqueezer110]

@@1-eye-willy Did u see his crack? (I)

[@lakesidesusan6745]

Now, now! Children...too much info!😵

[@genomills9]

I remember reading about this case a year or so after it happened. You've provided a ton of facts and context that paints it in a different light. Thank you for covering a case that's always bothered me. Hopefully it helps in getting it solved

[@malevolum.hominem]

I’m a little bit surprised, Nobody considered the possibility that it was somebody impersonating a state trooper as opposed to a genuine state trooper. Especially since the cartels are known for that type of deceptive behavior.

[@alexanderchippel]

The fact that in Texas law enforcement isn't legally required to notify you that you have a warrant out for your arrest is absolutely psychotic.

[@Dubhain]

Tripping absolutely means high on meth where I am.

[@dionysus6892]

I like how Archie sits in Aidan's lap like a throne lmao. Refined, Dignified

[@roaldpage]

Meth psychosis includes hallucinations, and paranoid delusions. When she said tripping she may have meant it literally.

[@LieutenantTickles]

I’d assume he was tweaking and paranoid, then ran off and got lost. Then the sheriff realized they completely fumbled the ball and had his wife run defense for him. Sad story that could have been prevented.

[@Samanta-van-laar]

How can you get lost in your own town

[@fatherted776]

It happens. Ive been lost countless times because I took an alternative route out of my normal work-bar-home path.

[@calebchristensen900]

This whole thing is giving me the same vibes as the Thomas Brown case in Hemphill County. Teen was out driving and went missing. And the county sheriff was for all purposes covering up his disappearance and apparent murder I believe. Last I remember the sheriff was investigated by the Tx Rangers and arrested for either tampering or negligence.

[@DancingThunderbird1003]

Nathan Lewis the shady sheriff at the time was not arrested.

[@calebchristensen900]

@ then what happened? Somebody was arrested and indicted I thought?

[@katmack4215]

I remember this story and I've watched quite a bit of coverage about Brandon..🥺 Hearing about this family's struggle,and Ladessa spending all her money on searches,is heartbreaking. I only just heard about the updates in this case,legit a couple months ago..😲 I couldn't believe it!! Blessing to that land owner for permitted the searchers on property. I'm so glad for Brandon's family,this movement on his case is tragic,but they already knew..at least maybe now they can find some peace,and have some form of closure. I've never forgotten about Brandon,or you guys..❤

[@MNR_Bois]

Meth, especially when it’s been out of your system for awhile, can come with some extreme paranoia and confusion. I’m guessing he took a bit too much after being sober for a while for the new job. Still sad to see his call for help simply ignored.

[@MarthaAccettullo]

Yet another great story . Thanks Lore Lodge . You're the best .

[@rigid73able]

Absolutely could have called the cops to put them on the dudes he was scared of giving him a chance to get away.

[@13crazydaisies]

My family routinely have referred to a state trooper as a "stater". I think it sounds like he probably was trying to say that.

[@PrincessNicEssus]

Wish you would have put up a map showing where his truck and body was found so we can see the correlation between the two. Thank you!

[@karencski711]

And also where the bridge is.

[@PrincessNicEssus]

@ Oh very good. Yes, please?!

[@joyslabaugh8286]

Thank you, for your thoughts and work you put in. This, case in particular is so egregious. His, poor family. Looking forward, to updates of your findings, in his case.

[@jmpolicare]

Could "ran into" mean encounter when referring to the people chasing him (Brandon)?

[@raucousreg9064]

That's what I thought.

[@HiFiAwardTour]

He was hallucinating, his brother admitted he was high on meth.

[@ScottBFree]

Why is the idea that a meth head would act irrationally confusing for so many people?

[@MDMDMDMDMDMDMDMDMD]

Name your new channel "Tartarian Truth Troopers" Guaranteed engagement

[@karastired]

I'm from around Abilene and this case has always bothered me. Thanks for covering it!!!

[@melanieduane6089]

The phone call was edited and retaped by ladessa. He was on meth. There wasn't anyone chasing him. They found him and he was pretty close by by his truck on private property. Dead. I think this is a very sad case of paranoia from meth that led to his death. I've followed this case for years.

[@heathernikki5734]

Meth psychosis is very dangerous. There’s a story about a couple who were both under the influence , got lost in a snowstorm, abandoned their car that still had gas in it and had warm clothes and blankets in it, took off walking and died. They called 911 many times and didn’t know where they were and said there were a bunch of people standing there staring at them. Janelle Hornickel and Michael Wamsley

[@RockinIan121]

It sounds like he says "I'm in the middle of a field, got into a scrape [with some] guys [that] pushed me over. No talking to em, they chasing me into the woods. I need the cops"

[@gingerbee98]

Don't know that I've ever heard of a more blatant conflict of interest than that paper...

[@dandrummond9154]

I feel like people don't understand how our memory works. It is incredibly counter-intuitive, after all. The more often you think about something, the more likely it is that you don't remember it properly. We work like a telephone game with ourselves. Remembering something once from a long time ago for the first time in a long times, you are more likely to be correct. Over thirteen years of telling the same, it is not unreasonable to expect memory drift.

[@heathernikki5734]

I was a meth head in the early 2000s. I’ve seen people hide under beds and swear people were in the trees, seen them take off in cars swearing the cops were coming and then they wrecked their car and got arrested. All kinds of delusions. I also had 2 episodes myself where I thought there were people in the trees outside and I took off walking at 2 am on a dark road. He was spun out and got himself killed by getting lost in the woods.

[@Quiet1-y9x]

Occam's razor. Known drug user reported by his brother to have taken Meth that day. Wife reported irrational behavior to Kyle who reports conversations with Brandon including paranoid discussions and behavior centered on his wife. Brandon's Mother calling the brother to ask him to go over to Brandon's to "calm him down because he is flipping out". Brandon calls police for help only then to hide from them when they arrive, messaging Kyle to "run for it" when the police arrive. I've worked in enough ER's to know this behavior is consistent with somebody having a psychotic episode on Meth. All the stuff with the sheriff department, the sheriff's wife and Brandon's first 911 call can be attributed to incompetence and trying to cover their asses for screwing up. And 911 calls routed to a nursing home to be answered by nurses during the evening? (Time Stamp 26:15) Yeah. Incompetence.

[@fishymacaroon6]

Kind of surprised I hadn't heard about this case before. I used to drive through this area very regularly, and it's among the reasons I almost never let my truck get below half a tank when on longer trips. Didn't take this stretch of 277 often, I'd take sole back roads off 158 to go between Ballinger and Sweetwater. No gas between them.

[@xSouthWindx]

21:40 i think it is scraper, as is a lowrider car. He also mentioned hispanics, which would make sense

[@secretagent5954]

well thats just blatantly racist 😂

[@davidbiagi2932]

Ain’t no way that’s what it meant.

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

There's a lot of Spanish-speaking people in Texas. The mention of "Hispanics" is not at all strange. I'm not sure there's a ton of "Lowrider" subculture in that particular part of Texas, however. I could be wrong, but I was always under the impression it's a very localized phenomenon. Frankly, the way they were introduced into the story by his brother almost seems like an intentional misdirect.

[@xSwordLilyx]

​@@fuzzydunlop7928I think he was passing on his high ramblings/ possible clues. His ranting about people who seem to not have been there is obviously a clue to me

[@WellplyD]

Someone should find out or ask someone that works in an oil rig. If a position in a crew has a name that sounds like that muffled word.

[@brooketeegarden2303]

I would check for a family history of Schizophrenia. If he and his brother both used the same drugs from the same source that day then a bad batch is out, but assuming he didn't get kicked out again that night for using again (make sure she didn't touch my stuff) the paranoia and delusions of meth psychosis only last a couple hours for most people. If there is underlying existing mental illness, or dormant genetic propensity for mental illness like schizophrenia (he's a bit young but 26 year old male, stressed oil-worker dad of 4?) can intensify it and make it last days and likewise meth psychosis could help trigger a first schizophrenic episode. I think a better interview with his common law wife on what she meant by how he was tweaking that night and why she kicked him out might shed a lot of light.

[@flingonber]

I don't think there's any evidence of schizophrenia, but he wasn't young for onset, in fact he would be a bit on the older side. It usually develops in men in their late teens or early twenties. It has a later age of onset for women (mid-twenties to early thirties, typically).

[@PackRatManiac]

​@@flingonber Maybe bipolar disorder. The meth could have triggered a manic episode and those can take a few days to a week for the episodes to pass.

[@raucousreg9064]

How's this as an explanation: Old mate had a blue with his wife. He got in his car and started driving, forgetting he was low on petrol and didn't have a gerry in the vehicle. Someone was looking for him with ill intent. Perhaps his wife had taken things further and hired bad people; perhaps he had been buying meth on tick and his dealer/s wanted to collect. He runs out of petrol and runs into, ie meets, the pholk who wish him ill. He jumps the fence and runs. As soon as he thinks it's safe, he calls 911 - cops might arrest him but the guys chasing him will do much worse if they catch him. He sees his brother and the cops at his vehicle. Not knowing the topography or vegetation cover means we can't say how close he was, but, with the word "field" being used, I assume that, at least close to the road, it was open. He may have been some distance from the scene - I used to camp at a site which, frim some approaches, was visible from miles away. He could have been a mile away, looking from behind cover. If he thought he had evaded the ill wishers, he would be weighing up the choice of potentially being arrested against waiting a few minutes and getting away scot free. Brother and cop drive away, old mate leaves his cover, bad guys spot him, catch and kill him. Throw in that he may have been off his tits, may have had withdrawal, been paranoid, etc. This scenario doesn't address all the evidence given here, but it does account for some of the more glaring contradictions, like calling 911 and not going to the cop when he arrived. Just my thoughts . . .

[@haliensexist]

You really have become one of my favorite comfort channels. Im sick in bed and this is helping me stay distracted. Thanks for the awesome work you do!

[@michellerutherford9551]

This story has stayed on my minds for years,something rotton in the woodpile.

[@HiFiAwardTour]

His brother literally admitted Brandon was high on meth and ran off.

[@eyegnieesllA]

Just a small note, "Tripping" can refer to any type of high. I've actually heard it used for meth specifically in my neck of the woods.

[@zacharysnyder2520]

As someone who has experienced addiction and known many who have been addicted this sounds very much like a drug induced paranoid episode. Kyle believing his brother wouldn’t do these drugs around his family is a symptom of the family of an addict wishing upon hope that their family member is doing better than they actually are. I think sad to say this is a simple case of a man losing sanity to drugs and dying alone in the woods.

[@TooLegit2Quit84]

This case has always fascinated me. I've never thought he was saying he literally ran into someone.

[@saintsinner6195]

"Stater". As in State Police.

[@garrettneukam2588]

Sooo many papers use their Facebook pages as gossip columns anymore, especially in smaller communities. Definitely comes off as suspicious, at the very least, unprofessional.

[@peshkybee7721]

Well heck. Don't need ya getting another nickel so my ass certainly isn't gonna be answering their phone in sketchy places....

[@AntoineC.FerbosI]

Thanks for the story. Very interesting . GOD bless us all.

[@infamousinjun]

Well, as a former tweaker, I can't see myself ever calling the cops on myself, however, if I did, I would probably rethink interacting with them once I knew I had a family member as a second option for safety

[@foolsenigma]

Damn, if you take all your double nickles to costco you could buy a hot dog. Which is probably more concerning than it sounds

[@turtlesonparade2977]

Commenting for the algorithm. Good job on this case, I had no idea about the brother's side of things.

[@night_owl365]

It's not exactly the same but this made me think of the Maura Murray case. Small town, weird timelines, cops on scene before they say they were, disappeared in a short window. Still no sign of her. At least they found him and his family can put him to rest.

[@TrueCriminwithT]

OMG how can they get away with publishing false information????

[@Mulepetter-y1t]

Small town. Who's going to call them on it?

[@TrueCriminwithT]

@Mulepetter-y1t corruption at its finest. Speechless

[@thezackast2752]

As long as they can't prove it was purposeful, which can be very hard, then it's protected by freedom if the press iirc

[@magical8013]

Have you not seen the media lately it's everywhere

[@JuliaStJohn-t2t]

I know it’s still ongoing but just last September 22 year old Austin King went missing in Yellowstone National Park and nobody has found anything at all.

[@Megan-rr6qg]

There’s a lot of scavengers there unfortunately

[@jmac77]

Former meth addict here. Being paranoid of someone chasing you is common. Seeing shadow people moving in the dark (or daylight) is common. I feel so badly for his family. He is still out there somewhere, probably a lot farther out of the search perimeters. No one has found hos bones yet. I hope they do so his loved ones can have closure and guve him a proper burial. Love the channel ❤️

[@BloodSaintPluto]

his bones were found

[@brentbair8231]

In the video they said they did find his remains

[@jmac77]

@@BloodSaintPluto oh ok! I didn't realize! That's good

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty weird indeed. Let's see if any tests come out.

[@georgeholloway3981]

It is unbelievable that the land in the vicinity was not searched. They found remains very quickly within beginning the search.

[@samygirl3113]

(6 min) Just FYI, common law marriage in Texas has nothing to do with how long you've lived together. That would lead to a lot of accidental marriages. You just have to live together and present to others that you are a married couple. Basically, just file your joint taxes and viola! Married!

[@teresanovotny2876]

You do a really good job with these. Love your content. ❤

[@anthonysaucedo9440]

I live in San Angelo and I’ve never heard of this case before this is absolutely crazy

[@paulpsycho78]

The absentee landowners didn't even know brandon had gone missed there. Thats how little the cops looked into this. A proper search would have found his corpse within a day or two

[@andrewkelley9405]

Absolutely despicable from law enforcement.

[@kevinsiscoe]

I think the most plausible explanation is that while he was out of town, he went on a bender. Upon his return home, he got into the fight with his wife who described him as "Trippin" (Absolutely something that can be used to describe the psychosis effect of meth) which caused him to leave. Still high and also paranoid (another common symptom of long-term meth use) he made several calls before running into the woods, at night, and without a light, and fell in a way that ended his life.

[@deborahd7171]

He saw something he wasn’t supposed to or someone thought he had.

[@davidbiagi2932]

No, he just died after exposure and lack of food water and being a meth head. Nothing shows or says or hints at there being foul play. Just a meth head who had been up too long seeing shit and thinking people were after him and took off in the woods and probably got lost and died.

[@deborahd7171]

@ “He was just a -insert drug of choice-head” comes across as the typical law enforcement comment when obfuscating investigative failures. It’s cliche cover for corruption. We’ll have to see what comes of the forensics but that area is no stranger to cartel activity.

[@DoubleDguitar]

I found a dime today, so there’s that.

[@Blackmjc]

And that laugh sounded more like being a little out of breathe after running into the woods, like maybe he slowed down enough to make the call.

[@RETRIBUTION_TIME]

In Texas, "ran into" doesn't mean a traffic collision. If I see you at the grocery store and we speak, I will tell people I ran into you at the grocery store

[@TheLoreLodge]

It can mean the same where we’re from, but the context indicates he hit them

[@alexamarie1234]

I need your content in podcast form so I can listen while I’m driving

[@inamv873]

just got back from the bar after crossing a bridge over a large river. needless to say i didnt get smiley killed.

[@paytertots]

my jaw is on the floor with how much of this case transpired on facebook

[@dewdonuts]

Hearing my favorite KZbinr talk about a case involving my hometown San Angelo is extremely jarring, like seeing your name in a math problem at school

[@juliana.x0x0]

I feel like that's subjective, based on your name. I feel like that would apply to people with more unusual names, but I feel like people named "Tom" or "Bob" get pretty desensitized to it over the years 😂

[@macy1914]

I think he jumped in his vehicle enraged and hurt from the argument with his wife and knowing he had a 3 hr drive he took way too large a hit of drugs. His behavior may have been an over dose response. Hallucinations , panic, confusion. Inevitable death in a close field

[@NeptuneTart]

Would you consider covering the disappearance of Shaun Ritchie in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on 31 October 2014? It's been 10 years now since he went missing.