UNSOLVED OHIO CASE! Ohio State Student Brian Shaffer Missing Since Night Out at Bar 18 Years Ago

An Ohio State University student disappeared eighteen years ago after being captured on camera entering a bar. He was never documented exiting. One of the most renowned disappearances in the state remains shrouded in mystery, despite a flurry of media attention.

When Brian Shaffer was last observed, he was a 27-year-old medical student in his second year at OSU. Since Brian’s disappearance, Lori Davis, an advocate for missing persons, has collaborated with his family. Davis stated, “He had already completed the White Coat Ceremony and was on his way to becoming a doctor.” “They have stated that Brian was very outgoing, charismatic, and funny.” Additionally, I have heard that he may occasionally exhibit a degree of stubbornness.

Brian contacted his brother on March 31, 2006, a Friday that marked the commencement of spring break for students, to inquire whether he would like to join him for supper. According to Davis, Brian and his father, Randy, dined at a nearby steakhouse because his brother had already made arrangements with his fiancée. Brian’s mother passed away on March 6, just a few weeks prior.

Davis stated, “They had a pleasant experience.” “There has been some speculation that there may have been an argument during that same dinner, and it would have been regarding the life insurance policy for Brian’s mother, Renee.” I am unable to determine whether or not that is accurate, as [Randy] did not inform me of this.

Randy informed Davis that Brian and Randy parted ways amicably from the restaurant. Brian and his companion William “Clint” Florence went bar hopping at approximately 9 p.m. that evening. According to NBC News, the two were firing rounds throughout the night. According to Davis, Alexis Waggoner, Brian’s girlfriend, was inexplicably absent from the city that weekend as a result of medical complications with a family pet.

Davis stated, “He ultimately phoned that girlfriend.” “I believe it was between 10:00 and 10:30 that evening when I left a voicemail. The message was satisfactory.” He was in a good voice.

Meredith Reed, an additional acquaintance, ultimately encountered the couple that evening. According to NBC News, the trio arrived at the Ugly Tuna Saloona at approximately 1:15 a.m., an establishment where they had been earlier that evening. Brian was observed entering the establishment by one of the numerous security cameras.

Davis stated, “It has been discovered that there were additional medical students present at the bar that evening.” “Typically, they discuss Brian’s two friends, Clint and Meredith who were present.” Numerous details have emerged since then that suggest that there were approximately four to five additional males who encountered them.

Brian separated from Florence and Reed upon entering the tavern. Brian stated that he was ascending the stairs to observe the band that was performing that evening shortly after 1 a.m. and proceeded to leave. Davis is of the opinion that Brian was not acquainted with the band, despite a distant connection (friend of a friend) to one of the members, despite the fact that his acquaintances believed he went to speak with the band.

Brian was last observed on videotape exiting the bar at 1:55 a.m., conversing with two young women, and then re-entering the establishment. Randy “wholeheartedly” believed that the two women had nothing to do with his disappearance, according to Davis, and they have been questioned by both the police and Brian’s father.

Florence and Reed were prepared to depart and began searching for Brian at 2 a.m., the bar’s closing time. However, they were unable to locate him. According to Davis, they initially contacted him and left a voicemail, only to return shortly thereafter. One of the most perplexing aspects of the case is that Brian was never seen again on camera leaving through any entrance or exit. Cameras captured the duo leaving the bar. The escalator that led to the street was monitored by CCTV, as were both bar exits.

Davis engaged in a conversation with a detective who had conducted an extensive examination of the video. The detective informed her that the video haunts him, as he is certain that every individual who entered the bar can be seen departing on video, except Brian.

The sole method of evading without being captured on camera would have been to depart through a service exit that led to a construction site with doors that opened onto the street. In 2006, a Columbus police sergeant informed NBC News that the area was “heavily” under construction and would have been challenging to depart, even while sober. Davis stated that at least one of the cameras was not stationary and rotated. Consequently, there are brief periods of time during which Brian may have escaped without being captured.

Brian did not respond to numerous phone calls from Randy and Waggoner the following day. When Monday arrived, the genuine apprehension began to mount: Brian and Waggoner were scheduled to travel to Florida for spring break; however, she received no correspondence from Brian.

In the 2000s, Brian’s disappearance garnered national media attention and continues to be a topic of intense discussion on the internet. Davis stated that she has “heard it all” in relation to the case. Theories of Brian’s death include the following: Brian was murdered in the bar and his body was removed with band equipment, he was thrown down a garbage chute, or Brian donned a disguise and departed independently.

Randy even traveled out of the state in response to Brian’s “sightings.” A prevalent rumor, according to Davis, was that Brian was a destitute man in Mexico, but this was disproven. Numerous leads have been received by the police and his family, but none have resulted in a resolution.

Randy’s son’s fate was unknown to him until his death in September 2008. High winds swept through the state during a storm, causing a tree to fall and strike him fatally.

“There has been a plethora of speculation regarding Brian Shaffer’s fate that day, and regrettably, 18 years later, I do not believe we are any closer to the truth,” Davis stated.

Additionally, it appears that the police are not any closer to determining the circumstances surrounding Brian’s death than they were in 2006. According to Columbus police, the case is reviewed on a “periodic” basis; however, there are currently no new developments to report.

Brian, who was approximately 165 pounds and stood at a height of 6 feet 2 inches, had brown hair and hazel eyes at the time of his disappearance. He had a Pearl Jam tattoo on his upper right arm and a dot on the retina of his left eye. He was last observed donning tennis shoes, a blue or green striped shirt, and jeans.