Trace Evidence - 024 - The Disappearance of Brian Shaffer

[@watchdog304]

Man, his brother has lost his Mother to Cancer, Father to a freak accident and his brother who is almost certainly dead from who knows what. Poor guy.

[@dxrkfoxx]

Makes me so sad for him. Hopes he’s doing good

[@cynthiaisako]

Heartbreaking !!!

[@treasurehunteruk9718]

He had a loving fiancee and could have gone on to marry and have great kids with her. He did have something to look forward to.

[@sct1111]

And they say the Kennedy’s were cursed

[@SunRabbit]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing when I heard of this case. He feels guilty about what heppened to his brother too, because he may have prevented whatvever happened. Plus he didn't like Clint too much (maybe that's why he didn't go?). I myself rarely hung out with any of my own brother's friends although I am "technically" friends with them on various social media.

[@jamesowens2559]

The fiance ringing the phone every night is such a heartbreaking detail.

[@beagledog2001]

It is indeed. I can see myself doing that.

[@beagledog2001]

It is indeed.

[@andreaturnquist4855]

@@beagledog2001 So sad

[@cartermd457]

@@brightmacsworld8353 me too

[@fishbone3333]

Of course....she was close to marrying a doctor.

[@equisequis.55]

Theres one thing for sure, he did not walk away and leave his father grieving. He was murdered by someone who was with him that night.

[@dianabeurman364]

I think Clint knows something

[@josephdale69]

Diana Beurman me too

[@queenbee8622]

Robrony Hoodlum we had several young ppl go missing around the time Brian went missing. They weren’t high profile like Brian but today we know they are probably all connected and it’s a serial killer drugging them and murdering them. We have a suspect and he’s seen in Brian’s and another murder victims bar surveillance. Unfortunately this suspect was reported in another case on sept 7 2005 just months before Brian goes missing in the same way. The suspect has lawyered up and to our knowledge has thick ties to police department. If what we know today is true than if cops hadn’t framed a young man for one of the first murders this wouldn’t have happened.

[@ftbuddy]

@@queenbee8622 if you really know something, then you should call the FBI or state police.

[@queenbee8622]

ftbuddy why do you think the Ohio innocence project had to sue Columbus police? Because they refused to turn over case files in a murder case that happened right before Brian that is very similar. I attended the Supreme Court hearing and they ended up ruling in favor of Ohio innocence project. Why do you think the police dept REFUSED to turn over the public records?! Because they know they framed the wrong guy and ppl continued to go missing in the same area and same MO. There were several Fbi involved in that case too. So contact who? The same police depth that was contacted about the suspect in sept 2005 and reported in Brian Shaffer’s case but the Andre Edwards was released from the case and then randy died. They do not want any of this known to protect themselves

[@Geronimo2Fly]

My heart just breaks for Derek. So many tragedies he's been forced to endure. I hope for his sake that someday the truth about Brian comes to light.

[@brightmacsworld8353]

I hope I get to meet Brian when these days if I ever do see him on the street or somewhere I don't know

[@MrMarco855]

@@brightmacsworld8353 Impossible.

[@rockstarofredondo]

Clint's refusal to polygraph combined with his lawyering up early, showing no interest in finding Brian, and cutting contact with Brian's family, makes him appear suspect. It's not the refusal to polygraph alone...

[@am2023]

rockstarofredondo he clearly was not his best friend...

[@utsb3220]

I'll guess Brian left through the construction exit/entrance, made it home and was killed.

[@victoriah.3413]

I agree, but with video they should have been able to clear this clint. I am assuming that they had video inside. They would have been able to see Clint inside and when he left. Just saying.

[@blake7871]

Why would he leave through the construction area? Ten minutes earlier, he was talking to girls re-entering the bar. Besides, there were cameras all around outside of the bar and none caught an image of him.

[@utsb3220]

The camera didn't catch him leaving where he was spotted with the girls. Supposedly the construction entrance didn't have a camera on it. I'll have to look into info on the other cameras on the streets. My guess there will be a many blind spots. If your contention is he didn't leave the bar that's fine. He must have been killed in the bar and put in the trash. What's your theory?

[@holidayhouse03]

The ugly tuna is now closed. At some point another business will move in and remodel. I wonder if anything will be found during that remodel.

[@NiGHTMAREiN3D]

*He FELL in the Construction Site just outside the SALOONA, was buried in concrete. (The site was searched/sniffed BUT NOT Dismantled. He's there.

[@anonymike8280]

@@NiGHTMAREiN3D Buried in the concrete. With Jimmy Hoffa.

[@slainemccool2875]

I F55 I it’s honestly the only thing that makes sense like he didn’t teleport out of there

[@JD-qd5zp]

I highly doubt that he fell and is in the concrete. Clint knows something he’s not telling, and he would not know that Brian fell and was concreted over.

[@AutomaticDuck300]

@@JD-qd5zp seems pretty obvious to me. Brian confided in Clint that he couldn't do it any more, so they both came up with a plan for him to get away from it all. If I were him, I would have asked Clint to check the security cameras in the bar and around it, then formulated an escape route (possibly with a waiting car out back to climb into the trunk and be driven away to wherever he wanted to go, obviously avoiding security cameras). That's just how I would have done it, though.

[@billywyatt4977]

You never really know what's going on inside someones mind no matter how well you think you know them!

[@onefeather2]

Agree.

[@josephsvennson5694]

@Cynthia are you a Cancerian? Aquarius?

[@josephsvennson5694]

Exactly. That's why I'm always a "runaway bride" except I'm a man...but runaway groom wasn't a movie. When things get serious I disappear.

[@tillyg1541]

Joseph Svennson 😂🤣😂

[@fantomex4249]

So true. My best friend rode his gocart to my house on a Wednesday we had a good time and then on the Saturday of the same week hung himself in his closet. I saw nothing that day that said: I'm depressed and suicidal. I love and miss you Tim...

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

Ya know, every time my friend goes missing I get an attorney , refuse polygraphs, say less than flattering things about them and never mention or concern myself with his disappearance ever again. Pretty standard stuff for losing a best friend.

[@davidwoermansr]

Sounds about right

[@TheXmeimei]

I'm in firm beliefs that "Innocent people got nothing to hide.", But in this case, that friend Clint, even though he refused the lie detector test, and lawyered up ... somehow in my gut I believe that he had nothing to do with Shaffer disappearance. #1. It was Shaffer who initiated the "guys" night out. #2. He simply didnt have any time and opportunity to commit any crime and not leave one shred of evidence behind, whatever that crime might be.

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

@hiddxnlxavxs3968 not the sharpest knife in the drawer, are ya

[@BSIII]

Polygraphs mean absolutely nothing and aren't admissable in court. They're psychological tactics. If I became a suspect, I'd lawyer up and refuse to speak and refuse a polygraph even if I was innocent. This isn't a movie.

[@mattr.1887]

It may be that Clint had no intention or plan of killing him, but that he saw or knows something that he is deliberating keeping quiet about. Maybe to protect himself.

[@delecekatauskas4520]

Thanks for a great vid. I have read & listened to many accounts of this case, but the first time I've heard Pearl Jam do a shout out for him, very cool.

[@autyc.3248]

I finally downloaded soundcloud now I listen to your show in every forum! Thank you so much for all this hard work you do, it's pretty amazing!!

[@TraceEvidencePodcast]

Thank you so much for your support.

[@bettyboop200]

Thank you for this podcast. Don't understand why this doesn't have 1000's of subs.

[@lndingalle9605]

betty boop it will, it's fairly new.

[@Autumn_Forest_]

Millions!

[@thisisme3238]

Glad I found it...subscribed too!

[@zoevee8192]

This case haunts me.I've been following it for years.I hope one day his loved ones (and us!!) Will get answers. Smh

[@truthseeker2222]

same

[@alchycoon5109]

Same.. I live a few hours north of Columbus in Ohio and I was in college in 2007. So it always like stuck with me, especially after all this time and no big breaks. I wonder if the Ugly Tuna Saloona is still in the same location and how the the area has changed in the years since. I've been wanting to go down to the bar on street level and just see it for myself.

[@sbj97]

@@alchycoon5109 The Ugly Tuna Saloona is apparently no longer in business. I think they closed like a few years ago

[@natecomer9391]

If you’re guilty never ever ever ever take a polygraph. If you’re innocent, never ever ever ever ever ever take a polygraph. Theyre junk science and have been proven over and over again to be no more reliable than a coin flip.

[@ritagales9677]

@@alchycoon5109 I was at a documentary being shown that shared the escalator with Ugly Tuna on that Monday. His picture was on a pole going upstairs. It haunted me. And it has to this day. It is heartbreaking.

[@GameparkGames]

I wish I had what he had, I lost my mother as well when I was 15 due to cancer and my father picked me and my sister up the day she died and used us to get himself off child support then abandoned us at our grandparents house on my mother's side. I lost both of them as well to cancer. Don't even have friends to talk too.

[@Greeneyedgeny7]

GameparkGames Hope you are doing better these days 🦋

[@beagledog2001]

How horrible, I cannot even find the words to say how sorry I am for how you have suffered.

[@scholbe]

I'll be your friend!

[@MsSissyke]

Did anybody noticed that Brian's hand signals on the pictures? Both with the mother and a picture with the father he makes a hand signal.

[@durga3189]

MsSissyke Masonic symbolism. I def saw it

[@JetLifer202]

Definitely

[@JetLifer202]

Thomas L 🤨

[@heidis8713]

@@durga3189 that's not a Masonic symbol. The devil's horns are made with only 2 fingers. He has 3 fingers, which is American Sign Language for "I love you".

[@canondocre8650]

Thomas L ha

[@suann9790]

I just don't think that someone vanishes on purpose after drinking in a bar...

[@sbj97]

Apparently he did

[@jantraenkong6319]

I used to live in Portland Oregon. In old town you can tour the "Shanghai tunnels" that ran under bars and saloons where a trap door would open in the floor and the inebriated person would be "Shanghai'd" and basically trafficked out to see. Is it possible something like that happened here?

[@sturdyweiner]

I only learned about Brian Shaffer today and I am thankful to have found this podcast. It's fantastic. What an extremely fascinating and puzzling case. Chilling.

[@Robin-xt7yo]

Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam is so classy. Cool what he said at the concert.

[@clintoruss153]

I have heard Eddie bedder is a class guy

[@Azazagoth]

Talk about an all around good person. Eddie went about and beyond to bring him up to the audience that night.

[@pooperscooper9176]

Absolutely brilliant done as per usual. It’s a very odd case indeed he had so much to live for all though loosing his mum was a terrible blow. He was intelligent enough to know his mum would of wanted him to make good of his life. Thanks for highlighting this very important case such a tragic waste.

[@truthseeker2222]

I think the cell phone ringing is a bigger clue then perceived.

[@shonamagouyrk9575]

C. Travis Mitchell maybe so! At first I thought he was gone, passed away,, but he had mentioned to his girlfriend, in the past that they should just GO AWAY,,I can't understand why he would leave his family though,,his mom had died, maybe he was a Mama's baby and it got to be too much. I know medical school alone is stressful but add that to his mom's passing, and probably having a difficult time financially.

[@dianabeurman364]

Me too

[@maroonforsyth9517]

Agreed

[@jg7102]

luv3daysgrace1 yea that means nothing.

[@robingarrett3171]

@@shonamagouyrk9575 but don't you think he would have come back when his dad was killed? I am sure the police watched his dad's grave for him to show up and there was no indication he ever came back. He just didn't seem cold enough to do that if he was still alive.

[@craigtheduck]

My mom asked me what I was doing just now, and when I told her I was listening to this episode of your podcast and told her the details of the case, she speculated he might've gone through a window-dead or alive-undetected.

[@TommyLightfootGarrett90211]

This is the best podcaster on this platform. You are very talented.

[@tsmith3286]

I went to this bar a few months ago. Got there later in the afternoon so there was only two people there. Talked to a young girl who worked there but I did not mention anything about Brian. I'm sure too many people have already done this. I did take lots of photos and the one thing that I did notice was the stage for the band was built up so someone could easily crawl under the stage. It's a tiny stage in the corner that is built of wood. It had a curtain in front of it so you could not see underneath. I'm sure that they just stored stuff underneath of the stage and the curtain just made things look neater. This would be the only place that I could see in the entire bar that someone could hide. This place is NOT very big bar at all. I also went into the mens room and didn't really notice anything, it was small and no place to hide. I left there thinking that Brian slipped past the camera out front and left another way possibly through the theaters. I do know for sure that the police said that everyone that went into the bar that night was accounted for leaving. So how and why Brian left another way is baffling. Show less REPLY

[@am2023]

bill smith care to show the photos in a video???

[@tsmith3286]

Sure but not sure how to do it?

[@am2023]

bill smith upload the pics to a computer and make a slide presentation then upload to KZbin it should be easy

[@tsmith3286]

ok thanks.

[@micholakinola1053]

@@tsmith3286 have you uploaded

[@donnaDinMiss]

Lawyers always tell you not to take polygraphs

[@CDN1975]

Or to talk to police without a lawyer.

[@mariahyohannes]

They also tell you to cut off contact with suspects family and move to new state and change your name

[@yankeedrummful]

I remember when I first moved to Columbus Ohio the search for Brian was at its infancy, being seen last at the The Ugly Tuna Saluna. I still live in Columbus Ohio, it's a shock to realize Brian still has not been found. This is a very sad case. Thank you for sharing.

[@James-4812]

If you REALLY think about it - if he really was the last person in the bar while everyone else was going home... if anyone knows where Brian Shaffer is, it's either the bar's staff, or the band that was playing... Somebody who was working in the bar, or the band knows something. Or they could at least give us an idea where he walked to that wasn't in the direction of the escalators. Think about it.

[@isabella-lp3nw]

Dean Lawson I've always thought that too and wondered why there's not much mentioned about them

[@michaelm9519]

theres so much information not available to the public and im not sure why

[@kirks7143]

More likely it happened in the club. He wasn't reported missing til the Sunday that gives plenty of time to get rid of his body

[@Joanne-i7q]

In all my reading over the years, I've seen no mention that Shaffer had a paying job. Who was paying for his lifestyle? rent, utilities, food, insurance, transport, clothing,? "Date nights" , bar tabs? Was Alexis paying the rent? Was Brian's mother helping him financially? Alexis had gone back to Toledo that night. If they were breaking up -- was he losing her financial assistance? Brian suddenly asked his father to have dinner that evening; A few hours later, Brian vanished. Coincidence? It takes money to finance a decent lifestyle, at a top ten university. Especially when you also❤ have (had ) a girlfriend to entertain. Could Brian no longer afford to have Alexis for a girlfriend? Why is this important? Because life on earth runs on cash. When your source runs out , or your support person passes away--people do desperate things. I humbly feel that s**cide is highly likely in this case.The symptoms of depression and grief were there. There is absolutely zero evidence against his friends. They know he was depressed, and they don't want to be unjustly accused. Quite normal . Hiring a legal advisor is the smart decision. Brian does not look happy in pictures . He has the same kind of "painted-on " smile that you see in high achievers sometimes. A ❤smile that never reached his eyes. Some people are taught from childhood, that you must keep up appearances, at all costs; and you must impress your parents. I think Brian kept those balls up in the air ❤, for as long as he could ... until he couldn't anymore. Peace to all involved..

[@amberdean374]

This story still just gets to me! I live in Columbus Ohio and have been to the ugly tuna multiple times!! It just seriously baffles me!! I remember the day we first heard about this!!

[@IanP1963]

I read they did good old fashioned British fish and chips there!

[@nickiraeeexo1915]

For the sake of his poor family and girlfriend, I HAVE to believe he didn’t choose to abandon everyone when they were counting on him. I have to.

[@MrMarco855]

And you're right.

[@sbj97]

You're right

[@allicat8943]

This wonderful young man met with foul play. It breaks my heart and I can only barely understand the pain his loved ones must feel. I pray for Derrick and loved ones much peace and strength through the difficult times. 🙏❤

[@SpinningbacKFisT]

Proof??

[@conejitaaa]

Here's my theories, if anyone cares. I've been reading about this case forever and some things stand out. As far as the "Clint knows, he did it" theory, I actually think it was smart of Clint to get a lawyer and refuse a polygraph, which are notoriously unreliable. It was protecting himself from cops who develop tunnel vision, knowing he was close to Brian they could have zeroed in on him and deduced he did it. If you are even a little bit anxious during a polygraph it can appear you are lying. As for the fact that he won't help with the investigation anymore, maybe he has decided it is safer for himself and his family if he doesn't. As far as the "he committed suicide" theory, it is possible, but how, and why that night? Why didn't the cameras show him leaving? He could have taken the emergency exit and walked off into the woods somewhere, never to be seen again, that's true. But why that night of all nights? As for the "he was murdered" theory, that could very well be true. He could have came across a drug deal, or been involved in one, and killed. His body could still be there (though they have a new location now, not sure if the old building still stands). And if someone says "oh we would have smelled a corpse if he was stuffed in a wall" that's not necessarily true. Look up Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada in Iowa, he was stuffed behind a cooler at a gas station and not discovered for 10 years! My biggest curiosities with this case are the fact that the cell phone pinged in the next town over, that's no "glitch" or coincidence to me and I have two theories. Either someone killed Brian and still had his phone on them and it accidently got turned on somehow that night and her call went through. OR Brian himself is still alive and turned his phone on momentarily. This theory is interesting because of the fact that whoever wrote the message on his dad's memorial page wrote it at a public library computer IN THE SAME TOWN the phone pinged in. Why hasn't anyone thought to check the library cameras? But why would Brian still be hanging around his old town, risking being noticed? We may never know, but those are just some of my thoughts. Anyone else think so?

[@beagledog2001]

Really like what you had to say here! I agree, with everything you said. I agree certainly that Clint should have gotten a lawyer, it is frequently said that this is what one should do when one is being looked at as "a person of interest" because without legal representation, you are on your own and you never know what the cops will do or say.....and yes, polygraphs are notoriously unreliable, especially when you are nervous, and who wouldn't be? Thanks for all you wrote!

[@kiarahidalgo0730]

I agree with you 100%.

[@awakenedsoul]

Your theory is nothing more then a bunch of theories lmao 😂

[@cherylcollinson4711]

Hi Trace. New sub. How have I missed this channel for so long??? Hooked! Cheers! I sincerely hope that someone watching your videos has valid clues to help located some of these 'missing people. This case is unbelievably baffling.

[@TraceEvidencePodcast]

Cheryl Collinson hah well it's not that old you. Super glad to have you on board.

[@dianabeurman364]

Really is bizarre!

[@amunoz1485]

If he was killed there and moved days later cadaver dogs would have picked up scent. Did the bring in cadaver dogs?

[@jcbaily5559]

What an amazing job you did analyzing this case. It seems you touched on every possibility. It is so hard to believe a person could totally disappear. I do agree that someone knows and why they choose not to reveal what they know is truly tragic and how they live with themselves is unbelievable. Thanks for your report.

[@debbiepolachek3292]

I think the police should check out everyone who worked at the bar.

[@rogwarrior1018]

They did

[@cassonade8468]

The mere fact that his friend lawyered up and cut ties with Brian's family, he holds the answer to Brian's disappearance.

[@Preservestlandry]

Or... He knows polygraphs are worthless and maybe he cut ties because Brian's family suspects him of something he didn't do.

[@BSIII]

​@@Preservestlandry100% But you're not going to be able to reason with true crime people who make their assumptions and believe them as facts. They still think polygraphs are anything other than a psychological tactic.

[@mariahyohannes]

@@BSIIIWhat does trash talking Brian after his disappareance and moving to a new state and changing his name have to do with a polygraph?

[@jamesmastrian1077]

It's like kinda obvious isn't?

[@susanbartlett-ye6476]

This is the best review of this case that I have seen.Well done!

[@ftbuddy]

I attended OSU in the mid '80's. One detail I've not seen reported is that this area was known as a high crime area. It was redeveloped probably less than a year before this happened. But I'm sure that criminals living on the edge of the campus area would regard drunk students as an opportunity.

[@AbbyS.Pumpkins]

Yeah, but wouldn’t someone have taken his money, tried to use his credit card, or steal his car?

[@brightmacsworld8353]

I really hope I get to meet Brian I don't know

[@richbrake9910]

Actually it has been reported to be a higher crime area.

[@sbj97]

@@richbrake9910 Source?

[@Kayla11113]

This is still a high crime area. It never really got better and in recent years it is way worse.

[@technicolorrose5549]

I have not necessarily theories, but a few points to make. One- his mother died 3 WEEKS before the night he vanished. He was in medical school which is EXTREMELY difficult. I lost my father when I was in nursing school; I had to quit. It was extremely hard & I'm telling you when you lose a person that close- you start to rethink your own life. Because you realize how short life really truly is. If he wasn't 100% serious about medical school, & then this happened...it definitely could've caused him to rethink his future, his life. Two.... Him telling Alexis to "move on" & find someone else...that is a very heavy thing to say. He had to have been n a very dark place. Him drinking could've put him into a darker place. 3- It is not unheard of for a person to take their life, or walk out on plans such as the trip he was supposed to take. It is possible to have solid plans & walk out on them in some way. It is also possible that he could've made plans, such as stashing cash away, without anyone knowing. 4- Rivers were searched. But I can't see how it would be possible to scour EVERY INCH of EVERY body of areas water around the area. 5- The phone ringing 3 times, & finding it pinged in Hilliard, which is about 14 miles from his dissapearance/hometown, is interesting. Then, the online page for condolences after his father dying, the message that said "I love you Dad, From Brian (U.S. Virgin Islands)". That message was found to originate from Franklin County. What is even more interesting: Hilliard is 16 miles from Franklin County. Hilliard is IN Franklin County. I found this podcast to be VERY informative. It looks at things from many angles and very logically at that. I also found there are a lot more facts in this podcast that I haven't heard in other sources. One thing I thought of. Suppose he did leave, whether impulsively or planned, & then finding out his father had died, & his girlfriend had moved on; he COULD have felt like he had no reason to come back. Even as close as he was to his brother....he could've thought his brother could be angry with him & couldn't bear that thought. I think for sure there are things that are not being brought into the public eye. Just as everyone....I hope one day there will be closure. It's not impossible. Cases dozens of years old are being solved, especially as technology advances.

[@slwtgf]

aLiCe wOndERLaND , very impressed with good solid details/thoughts listed, thank you 🙏 for sharing!

[@Nefertiti22141]

What page is that?

[@jenniferbrewer5370]

There's one major difference between you and Brian though - you're still alive to post this.

[@brockwillis1979]

Its hard to imagine one family having so much tragedy in such a short time. Brian intentionally disappearing I feel is the least likely of all possible situations. That would take time, planning, money, etc, and I agree that he wouldn't disappear on a drunken night where he was already exhausted from him schooling. Its important that people realize that he had told his dad that he would be there for him and see him through the hardship of them having just loss the wife/mom (another reason him disappearing does not add up). Initially I thought that because of his passion for music, he would have made small talk with the band at closing time and maybe something happened with a band member; but that back door security camera never showed Brian leaving that way. So I suppose the only 2 theories I give weight to is either that he was hurt/injured/killed inside the bar, and his body was concealed, and then removed from the bar at a later time to avoid detection (trash bin, etc) or, that for whatever reason he went through that side door, was hurt or injured in the construction site. Its hard to get the full picture of him having died or being injured in the construction site area being we dont have any visuals of how complicated, or hazardous that area would have been. As for Clint lawyering up, I think this is just something that alot of people do for self protection for the fear that will take blame from public opinion. I dont see it as a form of guilt. Even if we entertain the idea that Clint would have been involved, that would be super risky for him to pull something off with Meredith there the entire time. As for the smiley face killer theory, I dont even know if I fully believe that is a real thing, though alot of young men do get intoxicated and for whatever reason end up in body's of water, I just dont know if I have seen enough evidence that leads me to believe that such a killer does exist. I feel that whatever happened to Brian, is one of those very odd, 1 percent chance of it happening to someone scenerios, If I had to really go with just one theory, I guess it's most likely the construction site theory would hold the most probability, but I do agree, it makes no sense as to why he would go through that side door; clearly he was aware of the entrance and exit being the same door. My deepest condolences to his brother, how had to endure the loss of his entire family in such a short amount of time.

[@MrMarco855]

One of your theories is half- way correct.

[@diam182]

I’m

[@kanivaoh1915]

If he wandered off from The bar he had been drinking suggesting greater chances of hypothermia I wonder what the weather was that day

[@Catt564]

Keep up great work! Very nice voice, listen to you when I'm at work.

[@alysiawithluv]

This is the best true crime podcast I found! Thank you!

[@fantomex4249]

A polygraph is nothing more than an interrogation technique. Never ever submit to a lie detector test innocent or guilty.

[@crystal4046]

Exactly!

[@NorthernGirl85]

This is one crazy case. I remember David Paulides said the detective inspected every frame of the video, working on it for hours, and he's adamant that Brian never left the bar. 100% those dogs would have found him if he was there.

[@kovacuator]

It was reported that K-9s smelled Brian's scent in a Wendy's near the Ugly Tuna Saloona

[@jg7102]

@@kovacuator where was that reported at? Ive seen so many videos and read so many articles of Brian and have never heard that scent at wendys anywhere.

[@kovacuator]

@@jg7102 It was in a podcast featuring Detective John Hurst who was interviewed saying cadaver dogs picked up nothing in the bar or building or construction site but that he was tracked outside the bar up to a Wendy's. However, Hurst said that although it appeared to be Brian's scent, he was not 100% sure that it was

[@richbrake9910]

Perhaps he was grabbed by the stage, taken into the kitchen, murdered, and then removed later?

[@MrMarco855]

The detective shouldn't have wasted the time, he could have just asked me. The 'professionals' rarely solve these cases, they don't put enough effort into it. I've solved dozens of these cases; Elisa Lam, Maura Murray, Jennifer Kesse, Missy Bever, Jesse Ross, Matthew Weaver, Elaine Park, Corrie Mckeague, Rory Johnson and the Jamison Family are but a few. It takes dogged determination and hard work, and in my case a prayer to ask for God's help. Aside from the perpetrators only myself and another entity know what happened to Brian. Strangely his brother Derek didn't want to know, probably because he doubted that I knew.

[@danjohnson887]

I live in Ohio near Columbus and have been to this bar. My best theory is that he left by some back way. Security isn't all that tight and I think he found an unlocked door on the second floor and left the building from there. The whole OSU campus area is a total dump with vagrants and criminals endlessly waiting for victims which Brian was as he drunkenly fumbled home.

[@msgr9499]

This is the 2nd video I've watched of yours. Excellent job!!!! I'm not so easily impressed either. 😉 Keep up the Wonderful work!! It has to mean so much to the families of these victims. And Yes, you should absolutely have wayy more subs!!! I'll try to help how I can.

[@mhollman8650]

LordanArts Channel and Trace Evidence....You guys are PHENOMENAL

[@shonamagouyrk9575]

M Hollman yes I am from the Lordan Arts channel too

[@loulou7963]

I agree ! 🙋

[@charlesmaeger9962]

Strongly think that Brian was abducted toward the back of that bar. The people that work in that bar probably just turn a blind eye to shady things going on there. Hopefully, someone will eventually come forward with what they saw.

[@daisybcomedy2170]

I worked there at the time. We never turned a blind eye to anyone! It’s a campus bar with a lot of very drunk college kids. We were always watching out for people and making sure things did not get out of hand.

[@rodrigoscarpone5299]

​@@daisybcomedy2170and if he accidentally open a Door and has a whole or something..could this happen?

[@jillr.austin1103]

That's alot of people keeping Their mouths shut .for,a very long time. ???

[@SuperJackedHobo]

Also I've heard other people state Brian didn't buy tickets for the trip, his mother had gotten them as a gift for him and his gf before her passing. Kind of a reminder to him that his mother is gone, especially only days before he was suppose to leave for the trip he goes missing.

[@Tamara-ny2ey]

Such a sad and disturbing case!

[@SallyMars]

It drives me insane when people think missing people just ran away from it all and are alive but hiding.. why would anyone ever do that when they can be “willfully missing” literally if Brian wanted to run away and end contact with his family all he has to do it tell the police he is alive and okay but he doesn’t want anyone to know his location and that would be it. Same goes with Maura Murray. And many others. Why would these people put their families through not knowing when they could just be willingly missing which would be way easier on them too. I hope brian is at peace.

[@millymilly8264]

Right most of them ain’t hiding anywhere they been taken

[@josephdale69]

I have done more research on this case than anyone can possibly imagine. I’ve talked to several people including Brian’s brother. First and foremost, the family believes Brian is dead. I have only two possible theories on what happened: 1. Clint was having a party at a Professor’s house he was watching later that night. It is possible that Clint was pressuring Brian to go to the house party and Brian wanted to slip out of the back of the restaurant in order to dodge going to the party. Clint liked Brian way more than Brian liked Clint. It’s quite common for someone to slip out of the back of a place in order to avoid hanging out with someone they don’t want to anymore. He then went to the Wendy’s after where the dogs traced him to. Sometime after leaving Wendy’s he either drowned (it happens often), confronted by one of the two guys whose girlfriend Brian was hitting on at the Ugly Tuna Saloona, or Clint saw him later and confronted him. Brian can be seen getting into an argument with 2 girls outside of the Ugly Tuna. Clint did lie about going straight to the professors house after leaving the bar. In fact, he did drive to Brian’s apartment. When he got caught in that lie, he requested a lawyer. So, Clint could have been pissed that Brian ditched him and they got into an argument and something happened. 2. He came back to see the band as the restaurant was closing. The band was done playing. He wasn’t there to watch the band, but to “meet the band.” He could have left out of the back with the band or one person from the band. There could have even been a girl in the band. Most bands who play in bars don’t all leave in a van like in the movies. He could have left with someone in the band and some sort of foul play happened later that night. He was last seen “heading towards the stage area.” Anyone who believes that he is buried in concrete has never worked on a construction site. Ask anyone who works in construction if that is possible. It isn’t. Especially with the thorough search involved in this case.

[@louiseharraway2599]

Brian wasn't arguing with the 2 girls he was arguing with Clint. One of the girls was sat next to clint and could see and hear them arguing but could not make out what was said as the band was very loud.

[@evao2278]

So probably Clint is the Killer

[@josephdale69]

@@evao2278 Clint knows what happened. He may not be the killer.

[@alwaysdusty]

Brian was struggling with his sexuality.......I've always thought it was a gay serial killer or maybe Clint and Brian were involved...... supposedly they fought a lot in bars.....would make sense Clint would be jealous of all the female attention Brian got.....

[@Aaron_Scissorhands]

Can you PLEASE do one on the Springfield Three and the West Memphis Three? You are so damn good those cases have Trace Evidence written all over them!

[@maryrust5797]

Love your broadcast great job. Hope this case is solved with your keeping it in the public's eye

[@mariosimpostor731]

2 MEN WERE SEEN ON CAMERA LOOKING AT HIM AND THEN THE SECURITY GUARDS ONCE BRIAN SHAFFER HAD RE-ENTER THE BAR FOR THE LAST TIME THE WAY THOSE TWO MEN LOOKED AT BRIAN SHAFFER WAS DEFINITELY "SUSPICIOUS" AND COULD BE INVOLVED IN HIS DISAPPEARANCE

[@roth1897]

Nothing to back it but as soon I heard the prelims, I thought dude drank too much and probably talked to the wrong girls. An angry boyfriend/boyfriends confrontation gone wrong. But the drug deal gone wrong makes sense as well, dude studied from 2am-9am? Had to have some sort of drugs to get him through those sessions.

[@kevinsizemore8833]

Are you talking about the guys that would of been to the right side of Brian and the two females just before Brian walked towards the doors to the Bar ? ,,

[@baxinha606]

I'm so happy I've found your channel!!!

[@apple7770]

Maybe Brian was going back into the bar to buy cocaine for he and Clint. He could have gone in that construction area in the back to make the deal--or he followed the dealer out & into a car. He could have been robbed & murdered. He was drinking a lot that night & was dealing with a lot with his mom's death--and college kids do use cocaine recreationally. Maybe that explains Clint's reluctance to talk with authorities--the cocaine angle isn't something you want to advertise. Just a theory.

[@lewissmith4903]

If your friend got murdered and you knew something (assuming you weren't involved yourself), you'd say what you needed to help out. Clint saying "he went to buy coke for us" would not incriminate Clint. Keep thinking though, I also am very suspect of Clint not being more willing to help.

[@beckyweaver5981]

This is likely. Clint didnt want to admit it - it might ruin his reputation

[@Bigwave2003]

No video showing him doing what you propose.

[@josephsvennson5694]

@Alex K let's party!

[@398Vampire]

Alex K and never come back?

[@wesleyblisard5416]

Wow, Thank you for the upload better then just about anything on ID network.

[@happydayz7857]

How sad for Alexis and for his dad. His dad losing his wife and then his son, his pride and joy, only weeks later. What did he ever do to deserve such sorrow? Sometimes you wonder how God rewards those who don’t deserve it, SO MANY TIMES, then great people are given the shaft. It just makes me sick.

[@robingarrett3171]

And then to be kilked by a falling tree limb!!!???? It almost makes me hooe there is no God, rsther than our having a God with borderline personality disorder.

[@karenking5357]

Try blaming the devil you'd be more accurate

[@DouglasvanderMooren]

Today was the first time I watched your clip. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt so much. When someone goes missing it's always good for people like you to do some investigation too as it brings a new fresh perspective on the case. .. Thanks for sharing so I've subscribed

[@d3l3tes00n]

I remember reading that there was construction going on at the bar that wasn't properly blocked off. I think it was the elevator shaft or something which if he were drunk, he could've fallen & the bar covered it up since it would've been their fault.

[@donnablack6280]

When you said microbiology my ears pricked up. There have been numerous disappearances, fatal accidents and suicides of microbiologists over a decade or so. Maybe unconnected, but I can't help thinking that this is such a thorough disappearance in full view that it could be a professional hit. He probably went out with one of those trash bins full of empties.

[@blake7871]

In this case, there isn't a good theory. Nothing makes sense. Truly an unsolved mystery that will never be solved.

[@dxrkfoxx]

Right it racks my brain

[@thisisme3238]

Personally, I think someone over powered him...maybe drugs in his drink, then he passed out and the kitchen staff "took care of him." So, no he never WALKED out of that bar. Wonder if anyone checked the video cameras in the kitchen? Are their video cameras in the kitchen???

[@MrMarco855]

Already solved.

[@blake7871]

@@MrMarco855 ??? When?

[@blake7871]

@@thisisme3238 If the kitchen staff "took care of him" I don't see how. They did it by avoiding every camera in the bar and on the streets of Columbus (which the police reviewed) and Columbus has cameras everywhere around the bar. Plus, nobody who worked there has said a word, and typically a secret like that won't be kept by multiple witnesses. People talk.

[@TheXmeimei]

I'm in total beliefs that "Innocent people got nothing to hide.", But in this case, that friend Clint, even though he refused the lie detector test, and lawyered up ... somehow in my gut I believe that he had nothing to do with Shaffer disappearance. #1. It was Shaffer who initiated the "guys" night out. #2. He simply didnt have any time and opportunity to commit any crime and no leave one shred of evidence behind, whatever that crime might be.

[@mrcavanaugh42]

I like your videos bro. Love the music and detail.. Well done.. New sub for sure

[@katerryjackson749]

Man, he sure was good looking. This is such a baffling case

[@PalmBaiReader]

Probably a fmt as he appears to be a freemason

[@kiarahidalgo0730]

I find it so fishy how it has been 18 years and the rest of the footage has been released as well as the bar closing down and going to another location. It does not add up at all.

[@joelhoward8211]

I don't believe he was killed in that bar, i mean there was 2 armed guards right outside the front door, he had to have left out of that place by another exit.

[@cleareyedliar]

either he never left that bar, alive OR dead, or his body was smuggled out somehow, possibly among some trash. lawyering up early does not necessarily indicate guilt, and refusing the polygraph is just a good practice for anyone, given that those tests are junk science. but the callous behavior clint exhibited is what's suspicious to me. in either case, this disappearance bothers me because it seems like it should have been so easy to find his body, and yet... nothing.

[@mysterytour775]

After a second listen... The most likely theory seems to be that Brian left the bar without being seen on camera. From there, he was met with foul play, or was so inebriated that he wandered near a creek, ditch, or some other landscape formation that caused his death, and his body was not found for one reason or another. I have read other comments that suggest Brian wanted to stay later to meet the band that was playing(did anyone talk to them?), or found another way out(climbed down a side wall that wasn't surveilled?) or who knows, he stayed later to talk to a person on staff for some reason.

[@Da1Dez]

I think they should make the full CCTV footage available for the public to view to determine nay clues investigators didn't consider.

[@kanivaoh1915]

He went to lead a new life. There was no smell of cadaver in that bar and he was never seen leaving he clearly left very covertly they need to rewatch the camera tapes again. His best friend probably knows where he is and that is why he is refusing a polygraphi

[@ThePuschkin1986]

I have a hard time understanding why people are getting so triggered by Clint getting a lawyer and refusing the polygraph test. making use of your legal rights does not make you guilty of anything. the fact that police conducted those polygraph tests with family members and Brian's girlfriend is telling in itself. why would you take that step, when, according to published information about the case, there was no apparent reason to suspect foul play with a specific suspect in mind? this sounds to me as if an overly eager detective was quick to turn this into a murder investigation, gather all people involved and if anyone screwed up the test, interrogate them for hours, convince them to confess to a crime they never comitted. case closed, quota met, promotion secured. sadly, cases like this have happened all too often. we don't know the nature of questioning that Clint was subjected to. but if he was getting the impression police were treating him as a suspect, getting a lawyer was the prudent thing to do. him cutting ties with Brian's family also makes sense, since they didn't take his actions well and accused Clint of knowing more than he hold them. from Clint's perspective, neither him being jailed nor him enduring verbal abuse from the family, is going to bring Brian back.

[@richardcrows7245]

I'm sorry but why did it take them so long to realize he was missing?

[@Thechick-fil-Alover]

Just curious if anyone knows if the police continually checked video of the bar days and weeks after Brian went missing? If he was still in the bar someone could take him out later?? Such a sad story. My condolences to his brother. I can imagine losing my whole family like that. Really suspicious of his friend Clint. He knows something

[@msmystery4933]

New sub. Excellent videos. Detailed and articulate. Binge watching.

[@jomoland]

Very interesting...I never knew the girlfriend was able to get a call to ring after the disappearance. Great investigative work! I thought I knew all there was to know about this case.

[@CracKFists]

It’s been long since proven a cell tower glitch. In fact, it’s quite common particularly in the earlier/mid-2000’s with the cellphone service provider Brian had at the time.

[@johnsmith-mv8hq]

Here's how I see this going down:- a) Clint & his friend are leaving. b) Brian mentions to Clint he wants to talk to the band. c) He leaves Clint and goes to chat to the band d) As he's talking to them, they begin to pack up and - caught up in the moment - he helps them by taking stuff back to their van. e) This gets around the fact that issue of the cameras at the front and getting triggered at the rear by the rear. f) He realizes that he's chatted too long and - now at the rear of the Tuna and unfamiliar with how to get back into the bar, he takes the short-cut through the nearby building site g) He meets with an accident at the building site (or some nearby area) and dies there

[@ErynRenee]

john smith I was at Ugly Tuna regularly, possibly the same night or weekend, because I was friends with a bartender and the bouncer. I can't tell you how many times his disappearance came up in conversations. I remember walking through the bar entrance and looking around the building to figure out how he slipped out undetected. There are cameras everywhere. It's simply impossible to do. It makes sense to those familiar with the bar and the layout. It is on the second floor, there is only one entry/exit to the bar. To use the service elevator, you would have to pass through the bar's only entrance, which has a camera. Your theory seems plausible, but having been there many times and looking around myself, it's not likely.

[@johnsmith-mv8hq]

Hello, thank you for your courteous and honest assessment of the theory. I appreciate your insight. It's almost unheard of to find someone with actual on-site experience of the place. The only other place I came across this was with the follow-up remarks by one of the duo over at the True Crime Garage podcast. The Captain there mentioned he'd played with his band at the bar and knew the place fairly well. IIRC, in episode #109 of their podcast he mentioned that his own experience of the bar had also prompted him to revise his original thinking on what might or might not have happened.

[@lewissmith4903]

It seems if he had helped a band load something into their car, at least one of the band members would have come out and said that (assuming they weren't involved).

[@johnsmith-mv8hq]

Eryn makes a sound point about the way the bar was structured. I too have also wondered about the band that night. My initial thinking was, basically (and in the absence of any evidence to the contrary) giving Clint the benefit of the doubt. I don't think the band had anything to do with Brian vanishing - at least, not in a deliberate sense. My thinking was that the band has always remained firm in their statements that they have no recall of ever meeting Brian that night. Clint reported, according to most accounts, that Brian wanted to speak to the band. So, where does this leave things? a) Clint is lying as part of a pretty obvious and mean spirited deflection from his own part of whatever happened to Brian. b) Clint is mistaken and Brian wasn't going to talk to the band. Clint misheard and Brian outlined another plan, but that's now lost to us. c) The band were maliciously involved in Brian's disappearance: but are wisely keeping quiet as they were the last people to see him alive - and, thus, would be prime suspects in the event. d) The band were innocently involved in Brian's disappearance: but are wisely keeping quiet as they were the last people to see him alive - and, thus, would be prime suspects in the event. Either way, taking Eryn's words at face value, my thinking is now steering towards that someone has somehow kept quiet about something for over 12 years. :/ What are your thoughts on the case?

[@truthseeker2222]

Eryn, So what do the bartenders/ bouncers believe happened? This mystery is so fascinating to me.

[@AntiquesHollywood]

Have they questioned the members of the band? What if one of the band members stuffed his body in one of their cases for equipment and just carried it out then disposed of his body.. just a crazy thought.

[@alchycoon5109]

I heard yes they did.. I heard the cops did to investigate the theory that Brian (being a music lover) went and spoke with the band and decided to pack up and hit the road with them or something. Every band member offered nothing of importance in what I've heard

[@amberdean374]

I’ve heard this theory. I don’t think that’s happened. I think someone murdered him and he was taken out days or weeks later and it got by. If someone goes in somewhere and doesn’t come out, it’s typically because they were murdered and didn’t come out during the time periods they were looking at the cameras.

[@bulletsfordinner8307]

@@amberdean374 cadaver dogs would have sniffed it

[@tylertheguy3160]

Here's my theory: Bryan got drunk at the Ugly Tuna, then wandered off. He then might've made his way either to a quiet area in the building or to that nearby construction site, avoiding being caught on camera. Once there, he might've encountered some people engaged in illicit activities, like a drug deal, and then they somehow killed him in a discreet fashion. Once that was done, they somehow found a way to transport his body without being caught on surveillance, or found some way to hide his body in an area where it's never been discovered. As for Clint, he could've had something to do with it, but as you pointed out, maybe he just felt scared and decided to lawyer up, in which case I can hardly blame him.

[@ferry2495]

Clint is very suspicious i think

[@monilaninetynine3811]

I just get the feeling that he knows EXACTLY what happened.

[@88Kimberly888]

The father died from a fallen branch in yard? This family had some awful luck.

[@louiseharraway2599]

Was it an accident? I dont think it was.

[@oober5150]

I believe he left the bar alive. There was too many people around to hide a 6 ft mans body in a timely manner let alone carry it out somehow. I dont believe he dissapeared on his own. , brians family always thought cliff was a little off and his family said clint talked negatively about brian after he was gone, him and brian got into a verbal argument that night combined with him not working with police, maybe not enough to convict but there are more arrows pointing towards clint than anything else as of now

[@opo3628]

Yeah, Clint is sus AF. I've always felt that he knows a lot more about Brian's disappearance than he lets on.

[@oober5150]

@@opo3628 yea at the very least i think he knows more

[@lonerebeI]

It's one thing to refuse a polygraph (any good lawyer would advise you to refuse one) but it's another thing to COMPLETELY stop helping in your best friend's vanishing. That guy definitely knows more than he's telling and he has kept that secret for all these years, smh. Justice for Brian!

[@lonerebeI]

@ That's a huge red flag!

[@lindsayjubb5068]

So he went back into the bar at 1.55am after talking to two girls, but the bar officially closes at 2.00am?? He defo went back in for a reason, what was that reason?? Speak to the band? Who claim they didn’t speak to him. Surely at 1.55 the bar staff must have noticed Brian as he must of been one of the few people in the bar especially if it ‘closes’ at 2.00

[@NationandState]

Do you see how he holds his hands in every photo? Look. 27:02, he did it on the photo with his father as well. Why is he doing that? Father pic: 26:28

[@kcgunesq]

I assume it is a college or fraternity thing, but I noticed the same thing and had the same question.

[@amandanegrete1306]

Why IS he doing that?

[@rg6310]

13:45 I’ve heard about parents regretting letting their children do something the usually don’t a few a cases and this is always on my mind every time I let my daughter do something I don’t feel comfortable with and she’s almost an adult it gets harder and harder it’s a nightmare 😩

[@Lola23339]

As a lawyer, I'd advise Clint to pass on taking a polygraph test too. The tests don't mean much. If they did, they'd be admissible in Court. But...some cops put a lot of stake in them and they're also used to lie and trick suspects. Some cops also want to close cases asap and Occam's Razor says Clint is guilty. He's the only identifiable suspect. Clint may be a scumbag murderer...I'm just talking about why a lawyer would never let him take a polygraph test, especially when he's the only named suspect. This case is terrible...what an tragic set of facts.

[@queenbee8622]

Clint had nothing to do with Brian’s murder. We in Columbus know it’s a police coverup and they know who the psychopaths are.

[@rockstarofredondo]

Interesting he has a work background in retail. That means he would've been comfortable using non-customer entryways and exits, and non-public corridors in that kind of building.

[@ThePresentTimeNow]

I worked in retail, and I would never risk going into back rooms and back halls. That’s trespassing, it’s a risk you can get caught, or run into trouble. I don’t think that’s the case here.

[@HelsinkiFINketeli_berlin_com]

It wasn't Brian who entered the Bar with Clint and Meredith. The guy in the surveillance footage was only impersonating him. That's why he never came out either.

[@aiku111]

This case seems very similar to the other cases where young, healthy men are in a bar setting and they become unusually unaware, walk out and disappear then found in a body of water. Based on my research I believe that the perpetrators are in law-enforcement. They know how to maneuver and hide evidence. This case though is even weirder because he’s not even seen on surveillance anywhere. If he was going to disappear surveillance wouldn’t be an issue because he was seen going in. It’s not easy to hide someone of his stature but it seems like that may have happened. But how? My Top 5 of strangest cases.

[@TraceEvidencePodcast]

Aleeza Ako the Missing 411 books get into that theory a bit.

[@peterfurlong9559]

what about the surveillance camera footage being tampered with and what happened was deleted on the footage??? was this ever discussed???

[@xulupopo9288]

@@peterfurlong9559 Exactly, people are making too many asumptions about that video that may not be true.....

[@susandyke7318]

Some people say that the man going down the escalator as Brian is coming up with his friend is involved and it is a police cover up

[@lndingalle9605]

You're awesome, thank you!

[@jodypickett4904]

New subscriber. Love the show!

[@Lisa-ez1nt]

I think he never left that bar either. This case is eerily like the journalist case in Saudi Arabia ? . Going into the embassy and never seen leaving again. Literally thought of this case. Think something similar happened to Brian . He either died in an accident in the bar or was murdered and covered up by the people working there so he wouldn't be seen on camera.

[@laraoneal7284]

Brian was going to med school only bc his mother wanted him to. She died and possibly Brian lost that incentive and was depressed.

[@TansGauntlett]

They should scan the U Tuna for hidden exits into storm drains like in book The Golem

[@dandrummond9154]

I’ve never gotten passed him undercover rocking in every single photo. It’s like no matter the photo, he wanted people to know that was who he really was. This remains the only disappearance I think is the person leaving. Clint left with Meredith so they would know the same things. His family very clearly wanted Clint to take a polygraph. Super shocking he got tired of being harassed. You can polygraph me only if you submit to my ouiji board reading of your guilt on the matter first. Obviously, if you’re guilty we won’t make it to the polygraph.

[@gebronthomasson6960]

Just throwing an “IF” scenario and granted i dont know any details then what youve talked about(but can bet i will be watching more pods&KZbins on it)..but i have to ask ..was there a band playing that nite?..if so what if he was partying with them backstage and OD’d and well no-one would see him leave if he was in say an equip container(drum set,leads&cords footlocker,etc..)just something to think about acct he was not seen leaving..i mean some other means lime that could be used say on the bars side..maybe box/trash being taken out at end of nite..just something to get those who can look into to think about and look into..

[@reneesantiago6496]

WHAT????????

[@rogwarrior1018]

Or maybe he asked the band for a lift and went with them. He gets out of town and figures it all out form there. New Life

[@colleenmcduff1697]

There was a very recent situation in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. A guy had taken extasy and ended up stuffing himself in some duct work and ended up suffocating himself. It took the over a year to find him, only after people starting noticing a smell. It was not something anyone had ever expected or anticipated.

[@gregboyington4896]

When he left his friends in the bar he was going to talk to the band. I think he left with them as he was an interested musician. He helps them move and load their equipment through the service exit, where there are no cameras then piles into their van to go party with them. Thst night having to much alcohol and maybe still upset over his mother he tries drugs with them and ODs then they fear getting in trouble and get rid of the body. They need to be identified and interviewed.

[@louiseharraway2599]

If that happened, one of the band members would end up talking. You always get a weaker person who maybe cannot cope with the knowledge of what happened that night. Someone would spill the beans. Wss an engagement ring ever found in Brian's flat when it was getting searched

[@gregboyington4896]

@@louiseharraway2599 That's an excellent question. If they didn't find one it would suggest he left willingly. (Why buy a ring if you know you're bailing). And the converse would be true. If they found a ring it helps substantiate that he wasn't planning on disappearing. Unfortunately I don't know the answer.

[@gregboyington4896]

@ good point!

[@gerryjohnson3566]

My pet theory in this case is he got into a confrontation in the restroom & someone knocked him out, placed him in a trash bin and disposed of him later. A strong person can move a grown adult body into a car or dumpster with enough leverage/motivation. If so...... this person obviously didn't want to face the music & kept quiet about the event. Side note- did he owe anyone money? Med school is pricey...maybe someone snapped over a large debt.