OH OH - Brian Shaffer, 27, Columbus, 1 April 2006 *NamUs #MP1709* #6

[geojeffrey]

Has anyone else been following True Crime Garage on this case? It seems they are on to something. Hoping there is a break in this case!! I can't believe how long this has been being talked about on Websleuths.

eta: For some reason, the newer posts were not showing up for me, but I see them now, and that you guys are tracking the same info.

I have been following TCM, and Kelly--and they aren't known to hype tthings up without cause--so, to me, it is hopeful that the tip will be useful..sue hope so!!!!

 

[snarast]

I have been following TCM, and Kelly--and they aren't known to hype tthings up without cause--so, to me, it is hopeful that the tip will be useful..sue hope so!!!!

Agreed if you mean TCG - this is the first time they go out with information like this as far as I know.

 

[Same Old Stella]

I listened to the latest podcasts on Brian by TCG. Some theories were downright silly (Brian wanting to become a woman) and some that I had never heard discussed before but had thought of privately (Randy being the culprit). I had no idea the police had gone to Brian's dad's house with dogs and possibly equipment, not once but TWICE; he was definitely a suspect.

 

[Ssschu]

I listened to the latest podcasts on Brian by TCG. Some theories were downright silly (Brian wanting to become a woman) and some that I had never heard discussed before but had thought of privately (Randy being the culprit). I had no idea the police had gone to Brian's dad's house with dogs and possibly equipment, not once but TWICE; he was definitely a suspect.

This is shocking. I never considered the family as potential suspects.

 

[arielilane]

I listened to the latest podcasts on Brian by TCG. Some theories were downright silly (Brian wanting to become a woman) and some that I had never heard discussed before but had thought of privately (Randy being the culprit). I had no idea the police had gone to Brian's dad's house with dogs and possibly equipment, not once but TWICE; he was definitely a suspect.

It's an interesting theory about Randy, they also stated that Randy had no alibi and that he wasnt alarmed about Brian going missing until Monday morning the day Brian was supposed to catch his flight to FL. However, Randy is no longer on earth to defend their claims so I will view them as nonsense for the time being.

In addition, if I recall, Nick (TCG) leans on the side of foul play, which I do too. That's been Brian's victimology, getting in fights due to intoxication, flirting with women and maybe a boyfriend got irate about it.
Maybe something happened that night and he's been disposed of or a crime (campus high crime area) as he's heading out of the bar. I believe he left the bar.

speculative on my part and subject to change

 

[arielilane]

Additionally, I want to be clear that my above post is not meant to be unsympathetic. Brian Shaffer is a victim. moo

 

[arielilane]

Who is ‘The Captain’? Is that a job title or just a moniker?
Hopefully this tip can be followed up by LE.

The Captain is host (along with Nic Edwards) of True Crime Garage. They are long time podcasters (TCG) from Columbus, OH. The Captain's real name has not been publicly disclosed at this time.

 

[snarast]

It’s quite exciting to see this TCG+ team go at this case so intensively. It suggests that some day - possibly soon - there may be answers. It’s been 20 years….

 

[Martinie]

I like that they gave more info about the tip and it is very interesting.... I can't wait to see if this person is investigated more and what comes of it. It will finally give his family some closure.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

There are two mysteries:

1) How did Brian leave the bar without being seen or recorded on cctv.
2) What happened to Brian, causing his disappearance.

 

[george14]

There are two mysteries:

1) How did Brian leave the bar without being seen or recorded on cctv.

They have explained throughout the years that Brian likely left via different exit and one of the cameras wasn't working or had been overridden. The reason this case got a lot of attention is due to the "a man is seen entering but never leaving a bar" headline. This is overstated because plenty of people over the years have said they left via different exits and security wasn't strict. There are 2-3 exist in the bar so the simple explanation is he happened to leave out of one where a camera wasn't working. Or he blended in with others. There isn't a real reason to care much about how he left the bar.

 

[Martinie]

I still think he left out of that little hallway/construction area, since it has been reported that it was accessable and could be why he can be seen on CCTV looking at the security guards because he left that way.

Who knows, but this POI must have met up with Brian after he left, but without anymore CCTV or witness statements, it makes it hard to piece together what occured afterwards.

 

[Lebowski]

hearing that two different people gave a tip about the same individual, the police kept this quiet for 20 years, and had enough to get a warrant to dig on his old property, might be the closest thing to a lead I've ever heard of in this case

 

[chaddylex]

hearing that two different people gave a tip about the same individual, the police kept this quiet for 20 years, and had enough to get a warrant to dig on his old property, might be the closest thing to a lead I've ever heard of in this case

I am curious to find out who this man is and what kind of connection he had to Brian if any, before he went missing.

 

[george14]

I am curious to find out who this man is and what kind of connection he had to Brian if any, before he went missing.

I'm very curious if he has a connection to the money Brian was receiving. My memory is fuzzy but I know they discussed Brian receiving large cash deposits from someone but never stated who. It could be benign like a disbursement from his loans, a settlement, life insurance, etc. But it's important to know because I think they were $5k+ deposits.

 

[chaddylex]

Here is the FB Link for Brian Shaffer's Wanted Dead or Alive post that has been talked about above. I forgot to add the link so it was deleted.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

Brian Shaffer Dead or Alive​

3d ·
Tip Update

I mentioned a couple weeks ago about a tip that came in to the page. I shared what I had permission to share, but now I have permission to share everything I know except for the name. In 2006, a name was given to CPD by 2 different people. Both people stated this man may have harmed Brian or have knowledge as to what happened to Brian. I cannot find a connection between the 2 tipsters. One of the tipsters was out with Brian that night. CPD searched an area on High Street connected to this man in 2006. Nothing was found. In 2020, 2 detectives began discussing this man again. The 2 detectives decided to go to the house where this man lived in 2006. This house was close to Lane Avenue and close to one of Brian’s last phone pings. The new owners allowed the detectives to look at her basement. Once inside the basement, they noticed a portion of the concrete looked newer than the rest. The 2 detectives left and went to a judge to obtain a warrant. Based on what CPD laid out to the judge, the judge granted the warrant and the basement was dug up. They found an old fuel oil tank underneath. They did not find signs of decomposition or a body. Now, I just found all of that out a couple weeks ago and had no clue when I called in the tip that came to the page that I would add on to what CPD already had. When I mentioned the name the detective actually said, “holy hell how do you know that name!!” It was the same name that CPD received in 2006. That is everything I know about the tip or CPD’s knowledge. But what I do know is it isn’t easy to get a judge to sign a warrant to dig up a basement. Especially 14 years later on a “hunch”. For that warrant to be signed, CPD had to lay out a compelling case. I don’t know what else they have, but if I find out anything else I will share as I always do as long as it doesn’t jeopardize the investigation on Brian’s disappearance. I am working on getting an interview with the 2 detectives present for the basement search, but it’s an open case and I know there isn’t much they will tell me. I hope this isn’t confusing and I will try to answer any questions I can.

 

[MesquiteO21]

I agree with you. I know rumors were going around before about his sexuality, but if they have confirmation, that angle could have something to do with his disappearance. Or did he fake his disappearance so he could go live out that life style?

Also, I do wonder if his dad could have had something to do with his disappearance. They straight out said his dad would never approve of his son being gay. They also said his dad drank a lot and was cheating on his wife while she was going through cancer, which maybe is other reason why Brian didn't care for his dad.

Also mentioned that someone sent in a tip that Brian's brother was responsible for his disappearance.

So many different angles

Dad certainly could’ve had a motive since Brian told Renee that Randy was cheating on her and she then subsequently changed her will.
But I’m not sure if I really consider him a serious suspect

moo

 

[MesquiteO21]

I'm very curious if he has a connection to the money Brian was receiving. My memory is fuzzy but I know they discussed Brian receiving large cash deposits from someone but never stated who. It could be benign like a disbursement from his loans, a settlement, life insurance, etc. But it's important to know because I think they were $5k+ deposits.

I believe it was his dad giving him money for school? I’ll have to double check a source on that
moo

 

[Caylee Advocate]

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/unsolved-ohio/unsolved-ohio-investigators-still-searching-for-answers-20-years-after-brian-shaffer-vanished/

 

[maamager]

Why won't police share Brian Shaffer case file? Investigator wants more​

columbus dispatch — video is 17 minutes long. worth the watch imo. maybe i can do a tldr shortly for those who can’t watch