Name: Brian Shaffer
Last seen: April 1, 2006
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Status: Still Missing
Case Information
27 year old Brian Shaffer disappeared from Columbus, Ohio on April 1, 2006.
Brian was last seen at the Ugly Tuna Saloona, a bar near the Ohio State University campus between 1:30 and 2:00 a.m. on April 1. He was out celebrating the beginning of spring break with several male friends, and had drank several shots of hard liquor.
He was last seen speaking to two college age women outside the bar, and has never been seen or heard from again. Security camera footage from the bar shows him entering the establishment, but not leaving.
Disappearance
Brian arrived at the Ugly Tuna Saloona around 9:30 pm on April 1, 2006. He was there celebrating spring break with some of his male friends.
Around 10:00 pm he called his girlfriend from the bar, telling her he loved her and that he would see her when she came back to Columbus. The pair had a trip to Miami planned, and were scheduled to leave on April 3rd.
After speaking to his girlfriend, Brian and his friends went bar hopping, visiting several other drinking establishments and working their way down to the Arena District.
According to Brian’s friendm William “Clint” Florence, sometime after midnight they met a female friend in the Short North neighborhood who ended up giving them a ride back to the Ugly Tuna Saloona.
While at that bar for the second time that evening Brian got separated from his friends. They called him multiple times, but couldn’t reach him. They left the bar without him when it closed at 2:00 am, and stood outside as the crowd left. When they didn’t see him leave, they assumed he had gone back to his apartment without letting them know.
On Monday morning, when Brian missed his flight to Miami, he was reported missing to the Columbus Police Department.
Investigation
Security footage from the Ugly Tuna Saloona shows Brian outside of the bar around 1:55 am, talking briefly with two young women and saying goodbye, then moving off camera in the direction of the bar, apparently to re-enter. The camera did not capture him leaving when the Ugly Tuna closed.
Brian Shaffer’s car was found parked at his apartment, which is near the Ugly Tuna Saloona, after his disappearance. His personal belongings were found inside, and his cell phone, credit cards and bank accounts have not been used since he went missing.
Those who were with Brian the evening he disappeared were asked to take lie detector tests. Everyone but his friend Florence, who refused to take a test, agreed and passed. The two women Brian had last been seen talking to were later identified, and stated in 2009 that they had never been asked to take one themselves.
Shaffer’s loved ones describe his disappearance as highly unusual. Brian was a second year medical student at Ohio State University at the time of his disappearance.
His mother died of cancer three weeks before his disappearance. He was close with her and was grieving her passing, but his family and friends stated he was not inordinately depressed or suicidal.
Authorities do not believe Shaffer left of his own accord, but it is unclear what caused his disappearance. The police received many tips, none of which resulted in any breakthroughs in the case. His case remains unsolved.
Appearance
Caucasian male born 02/11/1979. Brian has brown hair, hazel eyes, stands 6’2, and weighs 165 pounds.
Has a tattoo of the Pearl Jam symbol on his upper right arm. Wears glasses and has a black spot on his left iris.
Was last known to be wearing a green short sleeved polo shirt over a long sleeved white shirt, white sneakers and a yellow cancer awareness bracelet.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Brian Shaffer please contact the Columbus Police Department at 877-645-8477. You can remain anonymous.
Resources & Further Information
Disappearance of Brian Shaffer – Wikipedia
Brian Randall Shaffer – FBI
Brian Randall Shaffer – The Charley Project
Missing Brian Shaffer – FindBrianShaffer.com
Brian Shaffer: The Ultimate Disappearance – Medium
MISSING: Brian Shaffer – Crime Junkie Podcast
News & Media Links
What happened to Brian Shaffer? Columbus police continue to work case 14 years after his disappearance – WBNS 02/20
Tyler Davis case raises the specter of Brian Shaffer – The Columbus Dispatch 06/19
Unsolved Ohio: The bizarre disappearance of Brian Shaffer from campus bar – 614 Now 06/19
Cold case of missing Ohio State medical student gets renewed interest – ABC6 04/19
Videos & Flyers
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