I came to this video with no expectations. I have researched this case in detail, and thought there was no way you could introduce something to me I didn’t already hear, but you did. I love how you incorporate other sources, like Google Maps, and I absolutely love your theory that he never went back into the bar after the 1:57AM footage. Wonderful coverage and I’m happy I watched
I think Clint hinted that Brian was still on the prowl, despite the anticipated engagement. Why would he say a thing like that? Clint's behavior is not that of a friend.
I suppose he could have had a grudge against Brian and had something done to him. His behavior about the whole issue has been a bit odd. It could be completely benign, but you never know. Anyway, I wonder if police thoroughly checked up on Clint or all of Brian's close acquaintances.
I don't understand how what he said was wrong. That's how dudes talk. He's clearly a handsome dude I'm sure he chatted up the ladies pretty well. Lol just cuz he has a girlfriend doesn't mean anything... By the way a girlfriend he told to move on, guilt from cheating maybe? Or he could just be a flirter.
@@tonyhutchins6258 He was a big flirt ! According to current sources ! He flirted big time with one of the two girls that were there talking to them at the Ugly Tuna Saloona with Clint ! Clint knew Amber from a class and her friend Brighton! Brian took a liking to Brighton that evening! Kissing on her neck ! So she slipped her number into his phone ! He was suppose to walk them to their car ! But changed his mind and he left ! Listen to the latest the Unfound Podcast with an Interview with Kelly Bruce done May 14 , 2021 it’s over 3 hours long it’s very good ! A lot of new info !
I mean,, maybe it's just me but I personally wouldn't drink (especially that much) if I was planning on disappearing a few hours later. You'd need to be in a decent state of mind to execute that plan. Even just in regards to transportation (bus, train, car, whatever) you'd need to be at least semi sober to do it.
Sometimes a good looking persons' friend can secretly hate them. You add a few problems, and the friend becomes enraged that someone so attractive has the nerve to bellyache. Js.
Yeah but we see him on camera at 1:55am talking to the girls and then everyone vacates the ugly tuna on camera at 2am... so that gives Clint 3-5 minutes to kill Brian and put him in his pocket? It doesn’t make any sense. The whole case makes no sense.
I went to another midwestern Big 10 university, U of Iowa in Iowa City, . The bar I where I worked had an opening in the sidewalk out front, like a root cellar with a large metal door that opened outward, and the kegs of beer would go down those steps on a dolly right into the basement. I just read that there is another bar there with recently re-discovered "beer caves" beneath, basically a system of tunnels. I think lots of old bars have alternate entrances and secret underground rooms. When someone "never leaves a bar" but is never seen again, I always think of those doors in the sidewalk.
That's what I think I think he went through one of those areas. Got Lost Was disoriented Probably couldn't get back 🔙 inside Or.. walked out into bad people . Obviously wasn't allowed to take off. Either way people are so opportunist. Evil Of course.
I have been watching you for a long time. I still, for the life of me, can't figure out how you do not have 10 times the followers you do. You're my favorite youtuber!
@sahara Vazquez then you misunderstood lol...I only meant because all the makeup turned true crime channels done by " pretty girls" all have millions or half a million subs...it was sarcasm. Calm yourself.
@sahara Vazquez no. You're being rediculous. It wasn't meant that way. Good greif. Everybody cries over everything now a days. How is that racist? I'm a woman myself. Go away.
@sahara Vazquez I'm not apologizing for something I never said. It's not racist at all. And it wasn't sexist in nature it was a simple fact and observation that I personally noticed. And was sarcasm. It wasn't meant to hurt anybody. You have blown that simple joke wayyyyyy out of porportion. Seriously, you must be a person that gets offended by everything. It's a big issue now a days. You can't say anything anymore without someone crying about it. I'm not sexist or racist. I actually defend all. You misinterpreted what I meant. Please stop overreacting. I'm sorry if it offended you. Wasn't the intent.
@sahara Vazquez now you lost me. That was foolish. And irrelevant. Are you implying only Latin girls are sexy and desired?! Just as silly as your implications about my comment.
This happened in my home town, thanks for covering! That bar does or did have a balcony in the back. I have always thought it possible very possible that he had been pushed off that balcony maybe during the course of some disagreement or something. That would explain why he was not seen leaving the bar on video. If you wanted to get someone out of the bar and no one notice, that would be the way to do it. Chilling as it sounds I have never heard anyone mention what I just brought up. Only you John have been the only one I've heard to mention that. Thanks for covering this case!
Outstanding analysis. By far, the best coverage of this case I have seen. Thank you, John, for your tireless efforts in keeping these missing people in the public eye.
Something just popped out at me. Later in the year Brian disappeared, when his former girlfriend had called his phone, it rang 3 times instead of going straight to voicemail. She said "I kept calling because it was one of the best sounds I have heard"; which does not specify if the ringing happened more than once, or just that one time and she called back trying to see if it would ring again. Now, it was found that his cell pinged off a tower in Hilliard, OH; about 14 miles from where he was last seen/his hometown. In 2008 when his father died, someone wrote on a condolence site online, "Love, Brian (from the U.S. Virgin islands". This post was found to have originated from a location 14 miles from his hometown, in Franklin county. I googled the distance from Hilliard to Franklin county. 16 miles. In fact Hilliard is IN Franklin county. I wonder if there is any significance to this.
I haven't been to bed yet - I was up literally all night cleaning for my mom (she's disabled, working as genealogist ) as a surprise. I desperately needed a Lordan Arts video. Thanks John for the video and all you do 💕
Skylar Davenport I hope you have a great good, hun! And get some rest! I take care of my folks too, dad has early onset dementia and mom has bad diabetes. Sending love y'alls way ❤❤
Epic Dyslexic I'm so sorry to hear about your folks. It can be so hard to watch them struggle. You're good for looking after them, they're lucky to have you 💕 And thank you! I have so much to do today - a costume to sew for a renaissance fair, more pieces to buy for the costume, guests coming over this afternoon - I'm just about brain dead 😂 but I will sneak in a nap at some point!
JustAn80sGirl Wow, I started to tear up a bit reading this. I'm so sorry about your mom. I cannot imagine what that would feel like, since I can relate to her being your best friend. Moms are amazing. 💖
Has anyone looked at the security cams of the shops across from this bar? That could clear up whether he re-entered the bar. Also, I'd like to see Clint's demeanor at closing time.
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.
Missing from my home state of Ohio. This case has always been talked about. I'm not from Columbus but I live here now, and went to Ohio State. Even in my hometown of Lancaster, Ohio there were posters I had seen in my grandparents church still trying to find him or some information for some sort of closure. Such a sad case. I pray he comes home someday or is found. I want the family and friends of Brian to have closure. 💗
Can't hit the hay (in Sydney, Australia) without first checking out John's latest upload! Thanks, buddy. Always appreciate your tireless effort and committment.
I work nights and wake up during the day to watch your videos then go back to sleep. It's 2.55pm here in London. Ive seen a bit about this case but have not heard the full story before. Great video, thanks again John. x
John, you are a Master of foreshadowing in your presentation. I really enjoy your show, in fact it's the only RUclips channel i consistently look forward to seeing updated.
Good morning! John, you should go into law enforcement or become a private investigator. The things you think of, and where your thought process goes is amazing. Things most people wouldnt necessarily think of. Something I believe you would be very very good at. Once again, great job! Xoxo
I agree, he covers most of the bases. He is great at what he does. Im usually without a comment because he does such a great job at answering my questions before i get a chance to ask.
Thank you! You hit all the points I questioned about this case! I'm so glad you did it. The "move on" talk concerns me. I hadn't heard that before. in considering his personality though, I don't think he would do that to his Dad and brother so soon after losing the Mom. I think the most likely scenario with what we know is that he headed home and being drunk fell somewhere or was jumped and lost his life. The shortcut seems plausible, and it is such a tight timeline from the bar to his home, could he have in his drunkenness got turned around land "shortcutted" himself into a worse area? Got turned around and ended up in the river? So glad you covered this one. Excellent job as usual. Alaska loves you!
The theory that he might have left on his own is complete BS. Who the hell can afford to start a new life without withdrawing any money, not taking any of their personal belongings with them? He was a medical student nonetheless, he couldn't afford to move and start a new life even if he wanted to. There are not any reports of him withdrawing any money from his bank account ever. In this day and age everything is so damn expensive especially for a medical student who has so many loans. But lets say he did leave with some cash and nothing else, eventually he would have run out of money and he would be forced to get a job. And almost always they ask for your social security or at least a form of some kind of ID. He would be tracked down immediately. But let's say he got lucky and got a shitty job without any form of identification- why on earth would a medical student planning to become a successfull doctor choose to get a crappy shitty job and throw all his time,effort,money and dedication he put on his studies for a crappy job. It makes zero sense. Not to mention, leave behind a girlfriend, a father, friends, medical school. He wouldn't and even if he did, he couldn't afford to leave like that. Not sure what happened and if he got out of the bar or not , but one thing is sure he is dead and most likely he was murdered. The only five questions that remain are: By whom, How,Why Where's the body? And why did his friend Clint refuse to take a polygram test if he is "innocent"? Something tells me he definitely knows more than he is claiming to know.
Well said I agree with everything you said. As I explained in one of my comments. The world of web sleuths and reddit love the soap opera dramatic ending and don't usually deal in realism. If you plan on living a life where you have a job, friends, social life, cars, house etc.People don't realize how difficult it is to disappear. I doubt Brian Shaffer would disappear to live a transient life under the radar as a freaking vagrant. I mean get real people. He is a smart , talented medical student. Yeah his mom died but his family loved him. I mean look what Randy did and you don't think Brian would have reached out to him get real. It's like these people online believe he ran off and let me guess got together with Maura Murray and lived happily ever after. That's why I mentioned in my last post. I don't think John realizes how many of these people really value his opinion and after he mentioned him potentially not going back in the bar how many people will start saying I bet just like super man he didn't go back in the bar but he put on his cape and flew up through the roof. If this case is ever solved it will most likely end up being the simplest of reasons he disappeared. No simple explanation does not mean aliens abducted him.
Agree fully….totally…you still need money, rent, mortgage, food, medical treatment….someone would have recognized him. I never bought into the new life theory. Somehow, he lost his life.
I have seen this story quite a few times and in literally every other story it was written that there was no other way to get out of the bar. Also that he was seen going back into the bar. It's obvious that you do your homework and that's why I always check your channel first when I get online. You're doing an amazing job!
I totally agree. I usually check other sources against John's because I trust his critical thinking and unbiased opinions. I had noticed before that the film did NOT show him going in, just in the direction of, yet John is the only one I have seen catch that. I love the use of the google maps street views. It really helps the process along to actually see the scenes.
+Kelli Gray Of course, the satellite/street footage is much more recent than when Brian disappeared, in 2006. Some things may have changed, such as construction being finished, etc. So the outside of the building (and inside, as well) may not look the same today as it did in 2006.
I wonder how much did Brian have to drink??? Also, I agree with John as far as the window of time is so short. I also feel what happened to him is so simple and right in front of our faces & just not grasping it.
Peggy Hill I do too. I disagree with John though. I think Brian did go back inside the bar and was killed inside there. I think it’s obvious he never left the bar on his own, but I know many people believe otherwise. Either way, I hope this gets solved for his brother.
Herfirstmate completely agree with John here. We never see Brian go back into the bar. Occams razor right? What is more likely he’s still in the bar or he never went back in? I pray for the family all of the time. RIP Brian.
Hey John, I actually just graduated from OSU in '16 and The Ugly Tuna is still open. It's connected to a movie theater (Gateway). You go up the escalators and to the right is the bar and left is the movie theater. Cops are there to stop people from heading over into the theater. The darkened area between the restaurant and doors for Ugly Tuna is just a dead end so there is no where he could have disappeared to. I honestly don't remember any doors on the bottom floor but I could be mistaken. There were always cops and security guards in the area as it was the end of real campus-type bars and they would try to eliminate the chance of underage drinking and crime as there were quite a few instances of muggings in the area. If it was as popular then as it is now, and school just let out, it could still be packed at closing time.
If there is a theater to the left behind where the guards in the video were standing, surely there are fire exits in the theater? These indoor mall type places all have plenty of trash/emergency exits.
I went to OSU and work in the building complex where this happens, and my first thought was the movie theater fire exits. That said, depending on what the showtimes were that night, there may have still been movie theater employees working, and the way it's set up, I can't imagine he would've gotten past them, especially with those Columbus Police officers right there.
It's completely implausible that Clint had anything to do with it. There is no way he killed Brian & managed to discreetly remove his body without be caught on camera. Did the band have a dressing room area. If so it is very possible that something happened to him in the band's dressing room. And that could why if there was an altercation it unnoticed by the rest of the people in the bar. Does the band travel with instruments? Some instrument cases can be large enough to conceal a body. This can be the reason no one saw him leave.
Good point about Clint Jesse. Finally someone else who thinks this guy isn't some cover everything up murderer or even more nonsense secretly helping Brian stay in the Virgin Islands. Please he is like a doctor at Vanderbilt who has never been in trouble. He didn't take a polygraph because no lawyer would allow you to take one when you had nothing to do with the crime. People forget the purpose of a lawyer at questioning whether you are innocent or guilty. TV doesn't help either the way they portray it. He is simply there to represent you legally and explain things. Most people questioned aren't lawyers or have any legal knowledge so it makes sense to have someone present who represents your rights and best interest. If you are at a police station being questioned whether you are guilty or innocent they sure as heck aren't representing your rights in the situation. I'm glad someone else uses some common sense knowledge with Clint
True good point. I have listened to many podcasts and read many articles and message boards about this case and like the Maura Murray case it's tough to say what happened for sure. There are a few different options with some more likely than the others.For me the whole he ran away thing is nonsense. The Clint and Meredith did it and pulled off the perfect crime at 2am in a crowded bar past cameras is pretty much nonsense as well. There are a few factors that play into this. Does anyone know if Brian used drugs recreationally. I know when someone passes nobody wants to say Yes but that raises possibilities if he did. For example meeting someone in the bar who says they have drugs and lets go outside the construction entrance then robs him and kills him. I'm not saying that's what happened but that's a scenario where someone he doesn't know is involved and there wouldn't be a trail through phone records etc. He obviously didn't kill himself a body would have surfaced and I don't see any signs of him wanting to do that. Robbery is a possibility. There is a case with a kid Kyle Fleischmann a college student who after leaving a bar disappeared. The most likely scenario there is he was drunk and wondered a little to close to the wrong part of town and was most likely robbed , killed and dumped. So that's a possibility here as well. However if someone robs someone usually they want it to be quick. Simply rob the person and get the hell out of the area as quick as possible. Not load a body into the car etc.This case has a few possibilities of what happened
jesse jesse, there is no guitar case on this planet that could hold Brian Shaffer's body, nor would it fit inside drum cases. And Clint IS in fact a very viable suspect, unless you personally have evidence that should've been turned over to the cops when it happened. Do you?
Even those mysteries that are hardest to solve hold answers. I wonder how often it's our own imagination that keeps us from the truth. What if he wasn't really that intoxicated? What if he bar hopped knowing his being intoxicated would change the focus of his disappearance?
At the 30:45 mark, third paragraph down. Clint says he saw Brian IN the bar AFTER he was out talking to the girls. So unless he is lying, Brian did indeed go back into the bar.
Great call, maybe thats why people saying that "he Went into the bar but never exited" in contrast to "he appears to go in to the bar again" so the video + Clints testimony kind of cemented the idea that he actually Went in again. if so how the hell did he disappear. Easiest conclusion is that Clint is lying about that detail.
There is video surveillance of him going inside, going outside and talking to the girls and then going back inside the bar. And no footage of him leaving again....
Honestly John, I'm about 20 minutes away from campus. I can go there tomorrow afternoon and take a few pictures or even video of the building if you'd like?
teambeining Ok cool thanks! I saw on your channel that you've posted riding videos and I used to ride too, so maybe we know each other! you can send me a DM if you'd like to possibly go together?
+Emily Garcia Boots on the ground, awesome! If you do, ask them where the deliveries come in. I worked at a U of Iowa bar that had an opening in the sidewalk out front that led down to a cellar, used for deliveries (many downtown businesses there do), and another bar in Iowa City has recently-discovered underground "beer caves", a system of tunnels. I think prohibition led to all kinds of creative architecture, see what you can spot.
+Anne There was an article in the Columbus Dispatch just a couple days ago that they found a secret speakeasy when they tore down Long's bookstore just a few blocks north of here.
@18:54 Gateway isn't a mall. Those are Columbus PD officers. There are always cops that clear out the bars at closing time. Hell, even the grocery stores here have armed police at the doors.
I don't believe in the SFK, but I've no doubt that he's in a shallow grave somewhere. I don't find it credible that he'd run away or kill himself, especially not in such a melodramatic way.
What I want to know is if that was the ONLY thing he said. If it was a bit of a conversation I wouldn't attach anything suspicious to it. If it was the only thing he said, then that's frightening.
I have one question that I can't seem to find the answer to anywhere... how much, if any, concrete was poured at the construction site in the timeframe between Brian last being seen, and police searching the site with K-9's? I don't think the construction site being difficult to get through, especially when drunk, makes it less likely that he ended up there. I think that's precisely the reason that if he did end up there, he wouldn't have gotten very far before having a mishap... hence he wouldn't have even gotten far enough to end up within the view of another camera.
I am very troubled by Clints reaction. Yes attorneys do advise no cooperation but why would he feel he needed an attorney? I totally don't buy he ran away. He was having relationship problems, career ambiguity, drinking heavy habits. Maybe things between him and Clint got volitle. Clint seems like the key.
That’s not security on camera. Those are Columbus Police (either on or off duty) in uniform. Apparently people have spoken to security who worked the bar and they said if someone wanted to leave without being on camera it’s a possibility.
I have been pondering this case for a long time. I am pretty sure someone at the bar caused harm to Brian, hid him there, and then disposed of the body later on. This happened Friday night. Brian was not reported missing till Monday. That gives someone 2.5 days to move a body out of the ugly tuna. There’s no other reasonable explanation if we never see him leaving the bar, and he did not vanish into thin air.
@@michaelheiler6382 Whatever they were, they were there in an official capacity to keep the peace. It would be a good thing to ask if they saw Brian go back into the bar.
Did research found this from webslueth "rissa A. Thrush8 months ago I know a girl who worked at the Ugly Tuna Saloona (Regarding the Brian Schaeffer case), and she said all the workers over the years since his disappearance have the common belief that he was put through the trash grinder in the back of the bar, which is why he is never shown leaving that bar on the camera. I guess this bar is set up strangely, and the trash grinder is not only huge, but is in its own special area of the bar, by itself, behind a door. I thought this was interesting"
Jordan Farr oh good grief. That's terrifying. I'd like to think police would have searched the grinder though (ack, I just got the creeps typing that). Even more shades of Corrie McKeague here. Young guy goes out drinking, ends up in some kind of situation, disposed of like trash. If that did happen, I'm hoping and praying he was already dead by the time....well, you know. I'm done - DONE - with the internet today. His brother, though....man, my heart breaks for him. Derek, if you read this at all, please stay strong and don't give up. I'm sure I'm far from the only one here who wishes you all the best for your future. You have an incredible strength of character; please don't ever lose that.
Gut feeling is that he committed suicide. Bridge jumping seems plausible. Several red flags. His last goodbyes. 1. He called his GF to say "I love you". 2. He goes out to dinner with his Dad. 3. He makes plans with his younger brother and his gf to meet up with him after the comedy show (bro no shows) Mood/Emotional red flags 4. father thought son seemed very worn out/tired (depression?). 5. He is a medical student but his real passion is very different --- he says his dream job would to play in a band and live a carefree low stress life. 6. His mom died 3 months earlier Impaired Judgement 7. He decides to go bar hopping with friend and is drinking heavily. The effects of alcohol can start the evening with feelings of happiness and euphoria, but as the night passes that can change to despair, depression, feeling inadequate, lonely, etc. I think there is a good chance he killed himself. I don't think he is living somewhere under a new identity. He is still in medical school so he wouldn't have vast sums of stashed money to use. There is no activity on his accounts his phone.
Great job with the video, John & good analysis. Especially appreciate the 3D views of the outside. I think the two 'security guards" may be Cols. Police, maybe off-duty. One thing that is seldom mentioned is that this bar/building was practically brand-new at the time. I agree that he probably found another way out, but is probably no longer among the living, sadly.
I'm sure they have looked into this theory, but could he have potentially fallen into something? With construction going on in that area and it being on second floor, is it possible that he fell into a elevator shaft or construction pillar or something? Maybe it was such a tight space and didn't see anything when they initially searched? That would also explain him not being seen coming out of bar...just spinning the scenarios in my head. Xoxo
Thanks for the info Jeffrey...I just put it out there as a far fetched possibility...it's such a weird case that I'm sure they have covered any and all scenarios in the area he disappeared...just thought, if there is even a slight chance he fell inside something and can't be seen from above or whatever, but by now it's highly unlikely he hasn't been found. Xoxo
+Untiltomorrow9 Plus, I'm assuming that the bar stayed open during the investigation, as did the other immediate businesses in the building. Gotta make that profit.
You do realize they searched the area with dogs , right? I can't completely discount this theory but it seems highly unlikely to me that if something like that happened he wasn't found. Construction workers would call and report immediately if they came across such a horrendous scene. Unless we're dealing with something really hard core as in drug cartels or something, is that what you're implying?
@@ceedenisek One word. LIABILITY. It wouldn't be the first time an inconvenient corpse had been disposed of to avoid liability, no matter how the victim actually died.
Since the recent deaths of some of my favorite musicians I looked in to suicide statistics and the statistics say that most people who kill themselves impulsively do so. There is usually only a gap of an hour or two or less between when they decide to kill themselves and when they attempt to. Being tired definitely exacerbates bad feelings, he was dealing with his mom's death and it sounds like he wasnt talking to anyone about it and he was pushing his significant other away. Add alcohol to this mix and it is likely he could have jumped to his death. Maybe someone found his phone later and tried to use it.
The only difference with that building is that there are businesses that have set up shop in the areas that were under construction. The adjacent building is a little different now.
Apparently the police talked to everyone. Of course people lie all the time. I have never seen any camera footage inside the bar. But there is CCTV footage by the back service door but police have not released it for some reason.
That stick man tattoo was the cover art for the Pearl Jam single "Alive" a song about a young man being told the man he thought was his father was actually his step-father and that his real dad had died. There are photos of Shaffer's grunge phase with long hair and a piercing under his lip where he wore a spiked stud and had leanings of wanting to be in a band. How did he go from that to straight laced, buttoned down med student with a B.S. in microbiology? In his graduation photos taken separately with his mom and his dad and in another photo where he's standing with both of them he has his hand held firmly in the "Sign of the Horns" heavy metal hand sign that's commonly known as the "Rock On" sign. But he seems to be throwing it clandestinely with his hand held downward as if in defiance or rebellion. If he felt he was being steered into a life he didn't want he might have wanted to try and escape it at some point. In the photos of him with his cropped hair he seems to have a screen saver smile but in the grunge photos his expression seems flatter and bit darker. There may have been a reason other than just being a devoted fan of Pearl Jam to have that stick man tattooed on his arm.
as someone who frequented this very bar (also a wexner osu med stud) - the exit is on the bottom of the staircase/elevator- he DEFINITELY went back into the bar cuz he never left - the whole video is inside premises -
Two years ago, there was an Ohio State student on a chat about this case. He said that Brian was, in 2006, in process of 'coming out' as gay. His mother's recent death had apparently given him the extra push he needed, to reveal some truths to his loved ones. Brian had just told his long time girl friend. Alexis. This is opposite of the 'happy couple, proposing marriage, etc" spin , that was written in local media.
Did I claim that a chat board equals evidence? none of the other comments here are 'scientific evidence' either. If someone says 'Brian fell into a construction pit, do they have evidence? I wonder why you aren't attacking them as well? or maybe it just makes a lot of sense, and that bothers you for some reason.....
I’ve rewatched this video many times. The Brian Shaffer case is one of my favorites. And this video is well researched. You covered everything and the honest truth is this case brings more questions than answers. We may never know what happened. My personal theory is he left with the band or a couple of members through the back elevator that wasn’t covered my a camera. Got in a car with one and met with foul play. Probably killed and his body may never be found. But again we may never know.
I cannot believe he would just take off and put his father and younger brother through anymore turmoil, especially considering his mother's recent death. Most medical professionals I know go into that field because they care about people and he would certainly be aware of the psychological damages he would inflict on those he loved if he disappeared. If the stress did get to him & he had left, I think after time he would have called his father and/or little brother. I think he walked home & something happened outside on his way. Also, I'm always suspicious when a "friend" lawyers up. Clint was with a girlfriend so he had an alibi. Why would he need a lawyer? He would know what hell Brian's father and brother were going through.
This case is bizarre. His disapearance is truly baffling. His absence is a true loss to society wow a medical student. He could have been a good doctor. So sad. How can someone enter a dwelling and never come out?
i watched this story on dateline once and now looking at it now also it reminds me of a story near my home in australia a guy was at a club with his friends then simply disappeared. anyway it wasnt till quite some time later that they found him between two walls he had attempted to hide and jump out to scare his friends but died from being jammed tightly in the walls and it wasnt an area very visable to anyone and from memory i think they found him when renovations were being done. I am going from memory here but i recall there was no reports of smells or anything. I also think (just a thought) as a medical student he had access to gentle ways to kill himself so wouldnt really subscribe to that theory.
Hey John just wanted to say I'm new to ur channel and I am now hooked and have nothing but much Respect for u 🙌 and what u do for these family's ❤ you are truely a special kind of person🙌 wish they made more people like you the world needs it❤ I pray Brian Shaffer is found🙏❤
The stress of his mom's death, exams, and the prospect of proposing marriage were likely factors that caused Brian to become very inebriated. Once inebriated and alone, a person is vulnerable to an accident or a crime. The fact that his body was not found suggests he fell victim to foul play. But there have been rare cases where bodies were found after decades behind heavy noisy refrigerated vending machines or inside chimneys. It should be possible to search a building like that to rule out this possibility. If bathrooms were busy and Brian felt sick, he may have looked for a secluded spot to throw up. If he aspirated and died, the bar could have been motivated to cover it up. The only place a body could go undetected indoors would be inside a freezer or incinerator. I don't think this was a suicide or escapism. I think he died that morning.
A couple of things: Relating to the theory of him doing a well-planned disappearing (money set aside etc), would you really get very drunk? Seems like you'd want your wits about you. Plus, inviting his brother to meet him later doesn't fit with that. My question is, is there more information about his bar tab? Had he paid it out before going out to talk to the girls? Did his friend pay it out? Was it left unpaid? That might shed some light on his intention.
Never touched his bank account or used his credit cards. Never contacted his family even after his dad died. I think that theory makes no sense. I personally think something very bad happened to him. Hope I'm wrong but I think he is dead. Hope they find him one day soon.
"Just for geographical references and to put things in perspective, you go up the escalators and turn to the right for Ugly Tuna. Turn to the left, and you're at a movie theater."
I just graduated from OSU this year and I frequented the ugly tuna from 2015-2016. Now maybe the layout is different now, but the ugly tuna is also attached to a movie theatre (if you go left at the top of the escalators its a movie theater, go right and its the entrance to the bar). I'm sure this would have been thought of by now, but if the movie theatre (or some other establishment) was there when he went missing maybe that is how he exited the area? This case has really fascinated me since finding out about it a few years ago and I have actually tried to imagine how he would have exited the area undetected, and either he vanished or he knew precisely where to go to avoid being seen, meaning he had probably organized this for a while.
Also, the reason they have police sitting around pretty much doing nothing is because that's how they try to prevent people from getting too hammered, it's a college campus.
Really interesting comment I found on reddit: My FIL is an editor at the Dispatch and has had a very close working relationship with CPD for the 30+ years. The last time we had a detective over for dinner, he was saying the working theory is he's in the concrete and they do suspect foul play but insurance and very wealthy people will not absorb the cost of proving that when all there is is circumstantial evidence.
Nicole Hottinger I agree, problem is the cadaver dogs searched the bar and they're extremely sensitive to rotting flesh. He's not there and he never left.
Nicole Hottinger I know this is an old comment but if there’s the back exit where the band members bring in equipment like that elevator then he could’ve left that way with the band and got in a car. Simple explanation to why no cameras ever captured him.
@@dannigro8794 but there was a camera.. it was pointed at hallway .. he would of been seen on camera no matter where he left the building.. It's been 14 years since he went missing.. I think law enforcement should release the videos and see what happens. And ..i recently came across a channel where the host stated that one of the cameras was set to Manuel override at the time Brian disappeared.. I think the channel is called Brian Shaffer dead or alive.. Please look into it ..the host interviews a Detective also and it's all fairly recent interviews .
Im thinking he left his life voluntarily and planned it. He probably saved up money, got other clothes, glasses and whatever else he needed. He asked his brother to meet him at the bar as a last goodbye along with his friends. Regardless, I feel sorry for his brother. Has authorities checked his past, financial situation, school background and grades, any outstanding big bills, or gambling debts....Maybe there was a reason he wanted to leave. Hope we can figure this one out! thanks John:)
HI John good video. I have listened to many podcasts about this case and have seen videos and read up on it. I like your videos and your insight about the case and bringing light to these cases so props for that. However please don't put out there the whole he never went back into the bar theory .Yeah there is no camera that goes all the way into the bar but you can see him making a fast B-Line back toward the bar entrance. I am not sure how much you have read up on websleuth or reddit or elsewhere about this case but the idiocracy out there is at an all time high. You read all the crazy theories from aliens took him, he is buried in concrete in the building, he was put in a trash compactor, he jumped from the balcony, he was killed in the bar and hidden somewhere with a bar full of people. Any loony conspiracy theory you can think of is out there. You have a good fan base and people respect your opinion so if you put that out there then you will see many people start saying I don't think he made it back into the bar and after that it takes off and before you know it he is secretly superman and flew up through the roof.
Hi Jeffrey I agree with you as well. Thanks for putting up your comment. I listen to a lot of the podcasts and RUclipsrs on True Crime because I like to be informed and hear about the cases. My wife and I both have an educational college background in Criminal Justice. So when we listen to these podcasts we try to look at it from a practical angle. That's why I tend to stay away from Websleuths and Reddit even though it's interesting the Drama of each case always reaches a Soap Opera high. I think Arm Chair Detective can help as long as it's providing accurate information and realistic opinions. If you listen to certain cases and people's theories on them it's crazy. A perfect example is the Tara Grindstead Case. Go look at some message boards you will hear every possible theory except for the most simple one which is a Home Invasion gone bad. That's too simple it doesn't reach the message board dramatic high. To them it has to be a love triangle or something dramatic. I'll say it again I enjoy Searchlight or I wouldn't be watching the video and I enjoy the accurate information provided and John's caring about each case. However in this one there is no conclusion you can draw other than Brian went back in the Bar. I wish there was a camera right there to show him walking through the door however there is not. It's clear though he walked fast in the direction of the entrance. He didn't climb up the railing and hop over the two security guards and walk just out of site passed all the closed door down to the floor avoiding all detection. It makes no sense at all. He went back into the bar 100 percent it's just what happened after that
The ping from his cell phone 14 miles away is pretty creepy. Near a cell phone tower? Usually those are in remote locations. Maybe the construction company or business that covered up his death in the construction site or trash grinder by bringing his belongings out to a remote location because they knew the cell phone could be tracked.
John: did they go and look for his cell phone where it pinged from? Surely they must have driven to the location of his cell phone ping to investigate? IF his phone was actually at this cell phone tower 14 miles away, that creates other possibilities.
On 2nd thought: the ping could have been a glitch like the three rings. Considering the ping is coming from a cell phone tower, this seems very possible.
18:34 Here's what you're seeing. The camera is mounted to a back wall on the second level. There's nothing down there in the lobby, except the exit/entrance doors and the elevator. When you come up the escalator, to your right is the entrance to the Ugly Toona Saloona (camera left). To your left is the entrance to the Gateway Cinema, which is what the guards are blocking entrance to. (Last showing is usually around midnight.) In the photo, the ticket counter is straight back and the concession stand would be to the right, off camera, behind the guards. Here's the thing. I live near the Gateway, and there's always the occasional dumbass that goes out to the balcony and climbs down. That's why there's usually guards outside making sure nobody falls/climbs down the 20 foot open air balcony at the Ugly Toona. Though unlikely, he *could* have left through the balcony. When he walked home, he could have been mugged, drugged, or otherwise met a nefarious end. At this time, there was a lot of crime in that section of Columbus. I'll explain in detail here: Columbus is a refugee city for Somali expatriates. Where Brian's apartment was was literally the "black Somali" neighborhood and crime was rampant. That's not a racist statement, it's a statement of fact (I'm black btw and I won't go there after dark.) It's been cleaned up since then because they figured they could get more money from college kids rather than Section 8. But at the time, muggings and rape were common. Make of that what you will, but this is where I believe he met his end.
And yes, you're correct, those doors are what you enter to get into the Gateway. The Torpedo Room is a bar located inside the Film Center. Basically the only businesses you can enter are the Film Center and the Ugly Toona. The other businesses in the square are completely inaccessible from the main building where the Toona/Film Center is. The construction that was taking place at the time of Brian's disappearance was the Mad Mex restaurant downstairs, specifically, a conversion of the OSU guard office into a restaurant. I don't remember exactly whether or not the canopy was up at this time but it's possible.
The Toona does stink, but it's not the smell of death. You have to think that the place gets FULL of college kids on Friday and Saturday night and the putrid smell is a combination of sweat, alcohol and puke. It doesn't get a chance to air out during the week. The place is almost impenetrable during the weekend it gets so packed, really a claustrophobic place that only college kids could have a good time. The music is absolutely blaring. Put another way, Brian was much, much older than most of the crowd that goes there.
I was next door , to the left of the escalators for a speech on schizophrenia. There was a documentary called Saving Millie, Out of the Darkness. This business was like a college campus classroom.
John, I have to compliment you. I just saw this story on another channel and it was like switching from hearty beef stew to thin gruel. No sources, no insights...
As an attorney, I can tell you that I'd hire an attorney. Investigators and officers are not your friends, and they make mistakes, often resulting in innocent people being railroaded.
Nikki V Imagine if someone you cared about died of unnatural circumstances. You're gonna want to mourn, but between the cops, and the press you can hardly move, least mourn. Having an attorney will help keep them away because they know you've been told not to talk.
Clint was obviously going to be looked at right away, since he was one of the last people to see Brian. So I completely understand getting a lawyer. And I understand him refusing to take a polygraph. Those things are so unreliable, I would refuse to take one too.
Anyone who has ever had police accusing them of a crime would not have a hard time at all understanding why he would want a lawyer. And I have no doubt they came at him in an accusatory way since he was the last person Brian was with that night. It was a smart move and I would have absolutely done the same.
Also John - the door is for the bar ONLY, it is NOT a mall, you were right on your first perception, the stairwell /escalator your see is the same from the outside view/ the second video is inside the building the only way out of the bar is down the escalator,
Whats strange is if you view the google map street level pictures, you can actually enter the building and go up the escalator. This shows that the bar's entrance is directly to the right when you get off the escalator. The complete opposite direction that we see Brian go when he leaves the camera view.
That "mezzanine" area is for a movie theater, which is to the right of what's in frame on the security camera (the area in the back of the frame, at that time, I believe was a seating area). It's to the left when you get off the escalator. There are fire exits in the movie houses, which are plausible escape routes. That said, if there were still late movies playing, there'd probably still be some movie theater staff working in that area, so I don't think he could get by them, let alone the Columbus Police officers in the video. Those officers are there every night. I don't think he jumped off the balcony. Unless the bar is dead, there are lots of people both on the balcony and walking through that area below. Someone would've seen it. The Torpedo Room is part of the movie theater and did not exist until 2015 or so. If you get off the escalator at the top and walk straight ahead, I believe that's where the OSU office is. Pretty sure it's locked at night. You take a right to get to Ugly Tuna. The sign with 312 on it is a sign for Ugly Tuna, I believe, or the Mad Mex restaurant outside and to the right of the doors to the entrance to Ugly Tuna.
Thank you so much for the video, I appreciate your diligence, your time and effort, and your dedication to cases like Brian's. Regarding Brian's case, do you by chance have any inkling with regards to Clint reportedly spending six hours in Brian's apartment the morning / the day immediately after Brian went missing? This would have been right after he (Clint) would have last been with Brian. I think the concern is what was he doing at Brian's apartment for six hours? Did Clint have a key to Brian's apartment? If not how did he get in? Which also brings into question the possibility of Brian actually being there at his apartment some of that time. I don't think it's a stretch at all that Brian somehow may have left the Ugly Tuna somehow without being seen on video cameras, and ended up back at his own apartment. Given that scenario, what was Clint doing there? Did something happen there? If so, what, and what happened to Brian afterward? I'm sure you already have knowledge of all this information but thought I would ask anyway. If not , or if you would like the link to it please let me know.
Thanks John for doing Brians case. Would you also consider doing one on Judith Smith at all here - trailwentcold.com/2016/05/11/the-trail-went-cold-episode-7-judy-smith/ - a big big mystery just like Brians has become, and it is 20th anniversary of Judith's body being found in September this year [7th Sept].
20:40..yes. Escalators immediately inside. Those are Cbus Police, very common in OSU area bars. Movie theater and small office is closed after 12 midnight.
Well it seems the establishment had something to do with this and covered it up its the only explanation I subscribed to your channel greetings from Germany
I used to live around here. it's an 8 minute drive from here to Hilliard. Yeah, a few blocks from here you get the 'west side bottoms' area, very scary area. I remember when this happened, it has always scared me, as well.
I lived right a block away on 12th & Chittenden. That's pretty much the line where it gets bad. I'm happy to be out of that town. I never did like Cbus.
The friend's comment sounded like someone who might be a little jealous of the attention that Brian gets. It doesn't necessarily mean Brian was pursuing just that he gets a lot of attention from women regularly which I can see, he's an attractive man.
He didn't look like he was drunk at all from the surveillance camera clip. He returned the bar right before it closed and a " fun" just began right inside the bar. His buddy, Clint, and someone in the bar orchestrated his runaway. There's always some dead areas surveillance cameras can't cover. So sorry for his family and his gf then.
A frustrating thing about these cases is when excessive amounts of alcohol are involved. When people are inebriated, they do things and behave in ways that don't make sense. I've been there. If something happens, we then try to make sense of their actions (or our own) using a sober, clear-headed approach and most of the time it's met with frustration. Been there too. The one thing I know from experience that makes you do strange things is....drum roll: chasing women around. (Even when not drunk.) That sort of thing has many a fool of many a good man. Brian was a young, smart, handsome guy with a bright future. Lots of young women would definitely be there for him to have the opportunity and realistic chance of a intimate encounter. This is just so strange and like John said, the window of opportunity for something to happen is so narrow it's downright bewildering. I don't believe he was abducted. Even though he was drunk, he was 6'2" 170. Maybe a little thin for that height, but still not an easy target. He was a young, strong guy. If it was foul play, most of the time the perpetrators don't hide the body. Rather, they just leave it where the crime occurred. Especially in a bar district like that, those with nefarious intentions wait on the perimeter of the main strip to catch and rob drunk people on the way home. Their drunken state makes them easier targets. Not only do I think this had nothing to do with any smiley face theory, I'm not necessarily sold on that whole thing, period. This reminds me of the case you covered where that guy in Toronto disappeared near Lake Erie, then his body was found in the water some time later. Also, I think of the guy in England who we now know was probably asleep in a dumpster after a night of drinking when the garbage truck scooped him up. It was very puzzling before we knew what happened in those cases. The "why" in those cases my never be known but at least we know the "what". I suspect it's something similar with this case. He was probably very impaired, walked off somewhere, made a strange decision and in some freak occurrence lost his life. Whatever happened worked out to where his body was never found. Anyway, this is a very sad case about a young guy with so much going for him. My deepest condolences to his family. I'll checkout the podcasts you mentioned and thanks for covering this.
I agree with narrator and like the maps feature. IMO he left premises and was the victim of foul play on his walk back home. Intoxicated folks make easy prey for street criminals. However, the absence of a body is puzzling. Normally thugs will not take the trouble to get rid of a body. They will just hide it quickly out of sight but not very well, and the body turns up soon afterwards. Not in this case.
![FNAF vs TF2 - Episode 2 [SFM]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/z5b3V2-VLb0/mqdefault.jpg)
Really feel for his brother, losing your Mum, Brother, and Dad within 2 years is heartbreaking.
His poor brother. So much tragedy for him. :(
Love the name!
Kells Bells no kidding!
@@Kayla11113 Nice?
I came to this video with no expectations. I have researched this case in detail, and thought there was no way you could introduce something to me I didn’t already hear, but you did. I love how you incorporate other sources, like Google Maps, and I absolutely love your theory that he never went back into the bar after the 1:57AM footage. Wonderful coverage and I’m happy I watched
I think Clint hinted that Brian was still on the prowl, despite the anticipated engagement. Why would he say a thing like that? Clint's behavior is not that of a friend.
i wasnt sure if it might have been a tongue in cheek comment like all the ladies love him and as usual the girls flocked to him
Lou Sozo because hes a stupid guy, thats all
I suppose he could have had a grudge against Brian and had something done to him. His behavior about the whole issue has been a bit odd. It could be completely benign, but you never know. Anyway, I wonder if police thoroughly checked up on Clint or all of Brian's close acquaintances.
I don't understand how what he said was wrong. That's how dudes talk. He's clearly a handsome dude I'm sure he chatted up the ladies pretty well. Lol just cuz he has a girlfriend doesn't mean anything... By the way a girlfriend he told to move on, guilt from cheating maybe? Or he could just be a flirter.
@@tonyhutchins6258 He was a big flirt ! According to current sources ! He flirted big time with one of the two girls that were there talking to them at the Ugly Tuna Saloona with Clint ! Clint knew Amber from a class and her friend Brighton! Brian took a liking to Brighton that evening! Kissing on her neck ! So she slipped her number into his phone ! He was suppose to walk them to their car ! But changed his mind and he left ! Listen to the latest the Unfound Podcast with an Interview with Kelly Bruce done May 14 , 2021 it’s over 3 hours long it’s very good ! A lot of new info !
I mean,, maybe it's just me but I personally wouldn't drink (especially that much) if I was planning on disappearing a few hours later. You'd need to be in a decent state of mind to execute that plan. Even just in regards to transportation (bus, train, car, whatever) you'd need to be at least semi sober to do it.
I think Brian planning this is very very remote. Either foul play, or a tragic accident that he’s never been found.
Sometimes a good looking persons' friend can secretly hate them. You add a few problems, and the friend becomes enraged that someone so attractive has the nerve to bellyache. Js.
Yeah but we see him on camera at 1:55am talking to the girls and then everyone vacates the ugly tuna on camera at 2am... so that gives Clint 3-5 minutes to kill Brian and put him in his pocket?
It doesn’t make any sense. The whole case makes no sense.
I went to another midwestern Big 10 university, U of Iowa in Iowa City, . The bar I where I worked had an opening in the sidewalk out front, like a root cellar with a large metal door that opened outward, and the kegs of beer would go down those steps on a dolly right into the basement. I just read that there is another bar there with recently re-discovered "beer caves" beneath, basically a system of tunnels. I think lots of old bars have alternate entrances and secret underground rooms. When someone "never leaves a bar" but is never seen again, I always think of those doors in the sidewalk.
That's what I think
I think he went through one of those areas.
Got Lost
Was disoriented
Probably couldn't get back 🔙 inside
Or.. walked out into bad people .
Obviously wasn't allowed to take off.
Either way people are so opportunist. Evil
Of course.
This bar & building was only a year or so old.
I have been watching you for a long time. I still, for the life of me, can't figure out how you do not have 10 times the followers you do. You're my favorite youtuber!
Jamie Allen I don't get it either. Maybe if he wore a bunch of makeup and did his hair..... :/
@sahara Vazquez then you misunderstood lol...I only meant because all the makeup turned true crime channels done by " pretty girls" all have millions or half a million subs...it was sarcasm. Calm yourself.
@sahara Vazquez no. You're being rediculous. It wasn't meant that way. Good greif. Everybody cries over everything now a days. How is that racist? I'm a woman myself. Go away.
@sahara Vazquez I'm not apologizing for something I never said. It's not racist at all. And it wasn't sexist in nature it was a simple fact and observation that I personally noticed. And was sarcasm. It wasn't meant to hurt anybody. You have blown that simple joke wayyyyyy out of porportion. Seriously, you must be a person that gets offended by everything. It's a big issue now a days. You can't say anything anymore without someone crying about it. I'm not sexist or racist. I actually defend all. You misinterpreted what I meant. Please stop overreacting. I'm sorry if it offended you. Wasn't the intent.
@sahara Vazquez now you lost me. That was foolish. And irrelevant.
Are you implying only Latin girls are sexy and desired?!
Just as silly as your implications about my comment.
This happened in my home town, thanks for covering!
That bar does or did have a balcony in the back. I have always thought it possible very possible that he had been pushed off that balcony maybe during the course of some disagreement or something. That would explain why he was not seen leaving the bar on video. If you wanted to get someone out of the bar and no one notice, that would be the way to do it. Chilling as it sounds I have never heard anyone mention what I just brought up. Only you John have been the only one I've heard to mention that. Thanks for covering this case!
Jeffrey Shelton
Thinking about it you're right. its just such a mystery that there aren't any clues really. Hope something breaks in this case.
butterflyi1 Wouldn't the fall onto the roof below cause a commotion? Wouldn't he be seen by people outside?
Outstanding analysis. By far, the best coverage of this case I have seen. Thank you, John, for your tireless efforts in keeping these missing people in the public eye.
I think Clint is the key to this mystery.
Yes
Yes
Something just popped out at me.
Later in the year Brian disappeared, when his former girlfriend had called his phone, it rang 3 times instead of going straight to voicemail. She said "I kept calling because it was one of the best sounds I have heard"; which does not specify if the ringing happened more than once, or just that one time and she called back trying to see if it would ring again.
Now, it was found that his cell pinged off a tower in Hilliard, OH; about 14 miles from where he was last seen/his hometown.
In 2008 when his father died, someone wrote on a condolence site online, "Love, Brian (from the U.S. Virgin islands". This post was found to have originated from a location 14 miles from his hometown, in Franklin county.
I googled the distance from Hilliard to Franklin county. 16 miles. In fact Hilliard is IN Franklin county.
I wonder if there is any significance to this.
This one is truly a BrainScratcher.
I haven't been to bed yet - I was up literally all night cleaning for my mom (she's disabled, working as genealogist ) as a surprise. I desperately needed a Lordan Arts video. Thanks John for the video and all you do 💕
Skylar Davenport
I hope you have a great good, hun! And get some rest! I take care of my folks too, dad has early onset dementia and mom has bad diabetes. Sending love y'alls way ❤❤
Epic Dyslexic I'm so sorry to hear about your folks. It can be so hard to watch them struggle. You're good for looking after them, they're lucky to have you 💕
And thank you! I have so much to do today - a costume to sew for a renaissance fair, more pieces to buy for the costume, guests coming over this afternoon - I'm just about brain dead 😂 but I will sneak in a nap at some point!
JustAn80sGirl Wow, I started to tear up a bit reading this. I'm so sorry about your mom. I cannot imagine what that would feel like, since I can relate to her being your best friend. Moms are amazing. 💖
JustAn80sGirl Sorry to hear of your loss. My Mom has crossed over as well. You're very lucky that it was a good relationship. Cherish that.
Youre a wonderful person, never forget that
Has anyone looked at the security cams of the shops across from this bar? That could clear up whether he re-entered the bar. Also, I'd like to see Clint's demeanor at closing time.
Lou Sozo Yeah, the area was flooded with cameras and he was never seen leaving the bar.
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.
Missing from my home state of Ohio. This case has always been talked about. I'm not from Columbus but I live here now, and went to Ohio State. Even in my hometown of Lancaster, Ohio there were posters I had seen in my grandparents church still trying to find him or some information for some sort of closure. Such a sad case. I pray he comes home someday or is found. I want the family and friends of Brian to have closure. 💗
Frankly, I would suspect his so-called friend Clint.
This is such a complicated case.
I hope it does get resolved.
Can't hit the hay (in Sydney, Australia) without first checking out John's latest upload! Thanks, buddy. Always appreciate your tireless effort and committment.
I work nights and wake up during the day to watch your videos then go back to sleep. It's 2.55pm here in London. Ive seen a bit about this case but have not heard the full story before. Great video, thanks again John. x
John, you are a Master of foreshadowing in your presentation. I really enjoy your show, in fact it's the only RUclips channel i consistently look forward to seeing updated.
His poor brother Derick. That entry in the memorial journal looks like someone trying to make people think Brian was still alive.
Good morning! John, you should go into law enforcement or become a private investigator. The things you think of, and where your thought process goes is amazing. Things most people wouldnt necessarily think of. Something I believe you would be very very good at. Once again, great job! Xoxo
I agree, he covers most of the bases. He is great at what he does. Im usually without a comment because he does such a great job at answering my questions before i get a chance to ask.
Yes Hank! The second I think of something, he says it or covers it...he def has the investigators train of thought. Xoxo
hes mentioning pretty basic stuff...
I would be interested in knowing who settled the bar tab, what time it was settled and what time and how many drinks were in the last round.
Thank you! You hit all the points I questioned about this case! I'm so glad you did it. The "move on" talk concerns me. I hadn't heard that before. in considering his personality though, I don't think he would do that to his Dad and brother so soon after losing the Mom. I think the most likely scenario with what we know is that he headed home and being drunk fell somewhere or was jumped and lost his life. The shortcut seems plausible, and it is such a tight timeline from the bar to his home, could he have in his drunkenness got turned around land "shortcutted" himself into a worse area? Got turned around and ended up in the river? So glad you covered this one. Excellent job as usual. Alaska loves you!
The theory that he might have left on his own is complete BS. Who the hell can afford to start a new life without withdrawing any money, not taking any of their personal belongings with them? He was a medical student nonetheless, he couldn't afford to move and start a new life even if he wanted to. There are not any reports of him withdrawing any money from his bank account ever. In this day and age everything is so damn expensive especially for a medical student who has so many loans. But lets say he did leave with some cash and nothing else, eventually he would have run out of money and he would be forced to get a job. And almost always they ask for your social security or at least a form of some kind of ID. He would be tracked down immediately. But let's say he got lucky and got a shitty job without any form of identification- why on earth would a medical student planning to become a successfull doctor choose to get a crappy shitty job and throw all his time,effort,money and dedication he put on his studies for a crappy job. It makes zero sense. Not to mention, leave behind a girlfriend, a father, friends, medical school. He wouldn't and even if he did, he couldn't afford to leave like that. Not sure what happened and if he got out of the bar or not , but one thing is sure he is dead and most likely he was murdered. The only five questions that remain are: By whom, How,Why Where's the body? And why did his friend Clint refuse to take a polygram test if he is "innocent"? Something tells me he definitely knows more than he is claiming to know.
Well said I agree with everything you said. As I explained in one of my comments. The world of web sleuths and reddit love the soap opera dramatic ending and don't usually deal in realism. If you plan on living a life where you have a job, friends, social life, cars, house etc.People don't realize how difficult it is to disappear. I doubt Brian Shaffer would disappear to live a transient life under the radar as a freaking vagrant. I mean get real people. He is a smart , talented medical student. Yeah his mom died but his family loved him. I mean look what Randy did and you don't think Brian would have reached out to him get real. It's like these people online believe he ran off and let me guess got together with Maura Murray and lived happily ever after. That's why I mentioned in my last post. I don't think John realizes how many of these people really value his opinion and after he mentioned him potentially not going back in the bar how many people will start saying I bet just like super man he didn't go back in the bar but he put on his cape and flew up through the roof. If this case is ever solved it will most likely end up being the simplest of reasons he disappeared. No simple explanation does not mean aliens abducted him.
Jupiter 🌎 incorrect. You sound incompetent. 😀😀😀
Agree fully….totally…you still need money, rent, mortgage, food, medical treatment….someone would have recognized him. I never bought into the new life theory. Somehow, he lost his life.
I have seen this story quite a few times and in literally every other story it was written that there was no other way to get out of the bar. Also that he was seen going back into the bar. It's obvious that you do your homework and that's why I always check your channel first when I get online. You're doing an amazing job!
I totally agree. I usually check other sources against John's because I trust his critical thinking and unbiased opinions. I had noticed before that the film did NOT show him going in, just in the direction of, yet John is the only one I have seen catch that. I love the use of the google maps street views. It really helps the process along to actually see the scenes.
+Kelli Gray Of course, the satellite/street footage is much more recent than when Brian disappeared, in 2006. Some things may have changed, such as construction being finished, etc. So the outside of the building (and inside, as well) may not look the same today as it did in 2006.
He was taking out in bags etc or shaft escalator maybe
I wonder how much did Brian have to drink??? Also, I agree with John as far as the window of time is so short. I also feel what happened to him is so simple and right in front of our faces & just not grasping it.
Peggy Hill I do too. I disagree with John though. I think Brian did go back inside the bar and was killed inside there. I think it’s obvious he never left the bar on his own, but I know many people believe otherwise. Either way, I hope this gets solved for his brother.
Herfirstmate completely agree with John here. We never see Brian go back into the bar. Occams razor right? What is more likely he’s still in the bar or he never went back in? I pray for the family all of the time. RIP Brian.
@@jg7102 I know. It's so sad.
I think he either left with the band and met with foul play or got caught in the construction site. No evidence to support him being alive.
Thanks John, I was first to request it about 2 years ago, you're a Gent. A sad-sad case indeed !!!!
Hey John, I actually just graduated from OSU in '16 and The Ugly Tuna is still open. It's connected to a movie theater (Gateway). You go up the escalators and to the right is the bar and left is the movie theater. Cops are there to stop people from heading over into the theater. The darkened area between the restaurant and doors for Ugly Tuna is just a dead end so there is no where he could have disappeared to. I honestly don't remember any doors on the bottom floor but I could be mistaken. There were always cops and security guards in the area as it was the end of real campus-type bars and they would try to eliminate the chance of underage drinking and crime as there were quite a few instances of muggings in the area. If it was as popular then as it is now, and school just let out, it could still be packed at closing time.
Samantha Bailey What about the MAD Mex restaurant downstairs? Any way to go there through the bar?
Jeffrey Shelton Thanks.
Lou Sozo sorry, for some reasons I don't get update about comments. There is no way to get into mad mex from the bar
If there is a theater to the left behind where the guards in the video were standing, surely there are fire exits in the theater? These indoor mall type places all have plenty of trash/emergency exits.
I went to OSU and work in the building complex where this happens, and my first thought was the movie theater fire exits. That said, depending on what the showtimes were that night, there may have still been movie theater employees working, and the way it's set up, I can't imagine he would've gotten past them, especially with those Columbus Police officers right there.
This happened where I live..its very haunting and I remember the day it hit the news..so sad. Thank you for covering this one..
@☁POPULATION-_-420🌿 no..I’m very very married with 2 kids lol
Thank you John, for everything you do! I always look forward to your videos.
It's completely implausible that Clint had anything to do with it. There is no way he killed Brian & managed to discreetly remove his body without be caught on camera.
Did the band have a dressing room area. If so it is very possible that something happened to him in the band's dressing room. And that could why if there was an altercation it unnoticed by the rest of the people in the bar. Does the band travel with instruments? Some instrument cases can be large enough to conceal a body. This can be the reason no one saw him leave.
Good point about Clint Jesse. Finally someone else who thinks this guy isn't some cover everything up murderer or even more nonsense secretly helping Brian stay in the Virgin Islands. Please he is like a doctor at Vanderbilt who has never been in trouble. He didn't take a polygraph because no lawyer would allow you to take one when you had nothing to do with the crime. People forget the purpose of a lawyer at questioning whether you are innocent or guilty. TV doesn't help either the way they portray it. He is simply there to represent you legally and explain things. Most people questioned aren't lawyers or have any legal knowledge so it makes sense to have someone present who represents your rights and best interest. If you are at a police station being questioned whether you are guilty or innocent they sure as heck aren't representing your rights in the situation. I'm glad someone else uses some common sense knowledge with Clint
True good point. I have listened to many podcasts and read many articles and message boards about this case and like the Maura Murray case it's tough to say what happened for sure. There are a few different options with some more likely than the others.For me the whole he ran away thing is nonsense. The Clint and Meredith did it and pulled off the perfect crime at 2am in a crowded bar past cameras is pretty much nonsense as well. There are a few factors that play into this. Does anyone know if Brian used drugs recreationally. I know when someone passes nobody wants to say Yes but that raises possibilities if he did. For example meeting someone in the bar who says they have drugs and lets go outside the construction entrance then robs him and kills him. I'm not saying that's what happened but that's a scenario where someone he doesn't know is involved and there wouldn't be a trail through phone records etc. He obviously didn't kill himself a body would have surfaced and I don't see any signs of him wanting to do that. Robbery is a possibility. There is a case with a kid Kyle Fleischmann a college student who after leaving a bar disappeared. The most likely scenario there is he was drunk and wondered a little to close to the wrong part of town and was most likely robbed , killed and dumped. So that's a possibility here as well. However if someone robs someone usually they want it to be quick. Simply rob the person and get the hell out of the area as quick as possible. Not load a body into the car etc.This case has a few possibilities of what happened
So someone in the band could have killed him but Clint couldn’t have? I think Clint was just as capable of such a thing
Michael Yatsco the Kyle fleischmann case is so so strange
jesse jesse, there is no guitar case on this planet that could hold Brian Shaffer's body, nor would it fit inside drum cases. And Clint IS in fact a very viable suspect, unless you personally have evidence that should've been turned over to the cops when it happened. Do you?
Even those mysteries that are hardest to solve hold answers. I wonder how often it's our own imagination that keeps us from the truth.
What if he wasn't really that intoxicated? What if he bar hopped knowing his being intoxicated would change the focus of his disappearance?
i hope that cleared up most of your qs john, feel free to ask me anything else, im really glad you covered this case, its sooo close to home
At the 30:45 mark, third paragraph down. Clint says he saw Brian IN the bar AFTER he was out talking to the girls. So unless he is lying, Brian did indeed go back into the bar.
Great call, maybe thats why people saying that "he Went into the bar but never exited" in contrast to "he appears to go in to the bar again" so the video + Clints testimony kind of cemented the idea that he actually Went in again. if so how the hell did he disappear. Easiest conclusion is that Clint is lying about that detail.
Romeo Frankenstein I think Clint is a bit suspicious, so I would want corroboration on that.
There is video surveillance of him going inside, going outside and talking to the girls and then going back inside the bar. And no footage of him leaving again....
Brandi Marie incorrect there is no footage of him going back into the bar. Pure speculation
Honestly John, I'm about 20 minutes away from campus. I can go there tomorrow afternoon and take a few pictures or even video of the building if you'd like?
Speaking as a fellow scratcher, that would be so amazing! I hope John agrees and thats a generous offer
Emily Garcia I'm nearby too. I can't go until next week. If you are not able to go, let me know.
teambeining Ok cool thanks! I saw on your channel that you've posted riding videos and I used to ride too, so maybe we know each other! you can send me a DM if you'd like to possibly go together?
+Emily Garcia Boots on the ground, awesome! If you do, ask them where the deliveries come in. I worked at a U of Iowa bar that had an opening in the sidewalk out front that led down to a cellar, used for deliveries (many downtown businesses there do), and another bar in Iowa City has recently-discovered underground "beer caves", a system of tunnels. I think prohibition led to all kinds of creative architecture, see what you can spot.
+Anne There was an article in the Columbus Dispatch just a couple days ago that they found a secret speakeasy when they tore down Long's bookstore just a few blocks north of here.
I like that narrator goes further with maps, photos & his own questions which adds more to what I already heard in other reports. 👍👍👍
John is the best at what he does.
@18:54 Gateway isn't a mall. Those are Columbus PD officers. There are always cops that clear out the bars at closing time. Hell, even the grocery stores here have armed police at the doors.
Thank you for covering this ! X 🙋👍❤️
I don't believe in the SFK, but I've no doubt that he's in a shallow grave somewhere. I don't find it credible that he'd run away or kill himself, especially not in such a melodramatic way.
My question is was it in or out of his character to call his girlfriend to say I love you. Meaning was it a possible goodbye call?
Jordan Farr Same thing I was thinking
Jordan Farr Agreed. And did he call her just to say he loved her, or was it something he said at the end of the conversation? Did he seem drunk etc.
What I want to know is if that was the ONLY thing he said. If it was a bit of a conversation I wouldn't attach anything suspicious to it. If it was the only thing he said, then that's frightening.
I don't get the feeling he was ready to "settle down"...
that doesn't mean he wanted to go into hiding
I have one question that I can't seem to find the answer to anywhere... how much, if any, concrete was poured at the construction site in the timeframe between Brian last being seen, and police searching the site with K-9's?
I don't think the construction site being difficult to get through, especially when drunk, makes it less likely that he ended up there. I think that's precisely the reason that if he did end up there, he wouldn't have gotten very far before having a mishap... hence he wouldn't have even gotten far enough to end up within the view of another camera.
They did not pour concrete at the construction site but gave the police time to search Well that area.
They used search dogs in the bar, the surrounding area,. dumpsters, the local landfills, they even checked the city sewers.
I am very troubled by Clints reaction. Yes attorneys do advise no cooperation but why would he feel he needed an attorney? I totally don't buy he ran away. He was having relationship problems, career ambiguity, drinking heavy habits. Maybe things between him and Clint got volitle. Clint seems like the key.
Has anyone interviewed the security guards? Might be good to get their names,
They were sanding right there, they should know if he went back in the bar.
That’s not security on camera. Those are Columbus Police (either on or off duty) in uniform.
Apparently people have spoken to security who worked the bar and they said if someone wanted to leave without being on camera it’s a possibility.
I have been pondering this case for a long time. I am pretty sure someone at the bar caused harm to Brian, hid him there, and then disposed of the body later on. This happened Friday night. Brian was not reported missing till Monday. That gives someone 2.5 days to move a body out of the ugly tuna.
There’s no other reasonable explanation if we never see him leaving the bar, and he did not vanish into thin air.
@@michaelheiler6382
Whatever they were, they were there in an official capacity to keep the peace. It would be a good thing to ask if they saw Brian go back into the bar.
Did research found this from webslueth "rissa A. Thrush8 months ago
I know a girl who worked at the Ugly Tuna Saloona (Regarding the Brian Schaeffer case), and she said all the workers over the years since his disappearance have the common belief that he was put through the trash grinder in the back of the bar, which is why he is never shown leaving that bar on the camera. I guess this bar is set up strangely, and the trash grinder is not only huge, but is in its own special area of the bar, by itself, behind a door. I thought this was interesting"
Wow. That's a horrific thought.
Jordan Farr That is horrifying!
Jordan Farr oh good grief. That's terrifying. I'd like to think police would have searched the grinder though (ack, I just got the creeps typing that). Even more shades of Corrie McKeague here. Young guy goes out drinking, ends up in some kind of situation, disposed of like trash. If that did happen, I'm hoping and praying he was already dead by the time....well, you know. I'm done - DONE - with the internet today.
His brother, though....man, my heart breaks for him. Derek, if you read this at all, please stay strong and don't give up. I'm sure I'm far from the only one here who wishes you all the best for your future. You have an incredible strength of character; please don't ever lose that.
People have morbid imaginations. Probably just talk.
So did the guys out side the bar get questions
Gut feeling is that he committed suicide. Bridge jumping seems plausible. Several red flags.
His last goodbyes. 1. He called his GF to say "I love you".
2. He goes out to dinner with his Dad.
3. He makes plans with his younger brother and his gf to meet up with him after the comedy show (bro no shows)
Mood/Emotional red flags
4. father thought son seemed very worn out/tired (depression?).
5. He is a medical student but his real passion is very different --- he says his dream job would to play in a band and live a carefree low stress life.
6. His mom died 3 months earlier
Impaired Judgement
7. He decides to go bar hopping with friend and is drinking heavily. The effects of alcohol can start the evening with feelings of happiness and euphoria, but as the night passes that can change to despair, depression, feeling inadequate, lonely, etc.
I think there is a good chance he killed himself.
I don't think he is living somewhere under a new identity. He is still in medical school so he wouldn't have vast sums of stashed money to use. There is no activity on his accounts his phone.
Nicole Mikloiche your points are really good.
He didn't call his girlfriend just to say I love you... he said it st the end of their conversation
@Jane Doe sign language for I love you..thats all that is.
His mom died 3 weeks earlier ...not months..
Great job with the video, John & good analysis. Especially appreciate the 3D views of the outside. I think the two 'security guards" may be Cols. Police, maybe off-duty. One thing that is seldom mentioned is that this bar/building was practically brand-new at the time. I agree that he probably found another way out, but is probably no longer among the living, sadly.
Ugh he went missing on my birthday :(
So many of these cases near my birthday.
I truly hope he is found
I lived in Australia and i feel so helpless to help you cheers Cassandra
I'm sure they have looked into this theory, but could he have potentially fallen into something? With construction going on in that area and it being on second floor, is it possible that he fell into a elevator shaft or construction pillar or something? Maybe it was such a tight space and didn't see anything when they initially searched? That would also explain him not being seen coming out of bar...just spinning the scenarios in my head. Xoxo
Thanks for the info Jeffrey...I just put it out there as a far fetched possibility...it's such a weird case that I'm sure they have covered any and all scenarios in the area he disappeared...just thought, if there is even a slight chance he fell inside something and can't be seen from above or whatever, but by now it's highly unlikely he hasn't been found. Xoxo
Right, I'd tend to put my money on Coverup.
+Untiltomorrow9 Plus, I'm assuming that the bar stayed open during the investigation, as did the other immediate businesses in the building. Gotta make that profit.
You do realize they searched the area with dogs , right? I can't completely discount this theory but it seems highly unlikely to me that if something like that happened he wasn't found. Construction workers would call and report immediately if they came across such a horrendous scene. Unless we're dealing with something really hard core as in drug cartels or something, is that what you're implying?
@@ceedenisek One word. LIABILITY. It wouldn't be the first time an inconvenient corpse had been disposed of to avoid liability, no matter how the victim actually died.
Since the recent deaths of some of my favorite musicians I looked in to suicide statistics and the statistics say that most people who kill themselves impulsively do so. There is usually only a gap of an hour or two or less between when they decide to kill themselves and when they attempt to. Being tired definitely exacerbates bad feelings, he was dealing with his mom's death and it sounds like he wasnt talking to anyone about it and he was pushing his significant other away. Add alcohol to this mix and it is likely he could have jumped to his death. Maybe someone found his phone later and tried to use it.
It's worth noting, the google maps image was captured in 2016, so it definitely could have changed since the time he disappeared.
The only difference with that building is that there are businesses that have set up shop in the areas that were under construction. The adjacent building is a little different now.
312 (Chicago area code) is a beer from Goose Island Brewery out of Chicago.
not anymore, it's made all over the USA after Anheuser-Busch bought it.
Well either way i was just saying its a beer not a bar.
+Bonnie Muehleman Good point. Person above missed it...
2022 and still unsolved and no leads. The bar has since closed and has been completely remodeled for a new business. No sign of Brian.
This one is so mysterious
There must be security cameras in the bar. From what I have heard there was a lot of people there someone must have seen something.
Apparently the police talked to everyone. Of course people lie all the time. I have never seen any camera footage inside the bar. But there is CCTV footage by the back service door but police have not released it for some reason.
That stick man tattoo was the cover art for the Pearl Jam single "Alive" a song about a young man being told the man he thought was his father was actually his step-father and that his real dad had died. There are photos of Shaffer's grunge phase with long hair and a piercing under his lip where he wore a spiked stud and had leanings of wanting to be in a band. How did he go from that to straight laced, buttoned down med student with a B.S. in microbiology?
In his graduation photos taken separately with his mom and his dad and in another photo where he's standing with both of them he has his hand held firmly in the "Sign of the Horns" heavy metal hand sign that's commonly known as the "Rock On" sign. But he seems to be throwing it clandestinely with his hand held downward as if in defiance or rebellion. If he felt he was being steered into a life he didn't want he might have wanted to try and escape it at some point. In the photos of him with his cropped hair he seems to have a screen saver smile but in the grunge photos his expression seems flatter and bit darker. There may have been a reason other than just being a devoted fan of Pearl Jam to have that stick man tattooed on his arm.
as someone who frequented this very bar (also a wexner osu med stud) - the exit is on the bottom of the staircase/elevator- he DEFINITELY went back into the bar cuz he never left - the whole video is inside premises -
Two years ago, there was an Ohio State student on a chat about this case. He said that Brian was, in 2006, in process of 'coming out' as gay. His mother's recent death had apparently given him the extra push he needed, to reveal some truths to his loved ones. Brian had just told his long time girl friend. Alexis.
This is opposite of the 'happy couple, proposing marriage, etc" spin , that was written in local media.
Well, there's no better evidence than an anonymous person on a chat board claiming to be an Ohio State student.
Did I claim that a chat board equals evidence? none of the other comments here are 'scientific evidence' either. If someone says 'Brian fell into a construction pit, do they have evidence? I wonder why you aren't attacking them as well? or maybe it just makes a lot of sense, and that bothers you for some reason.....
You are more correct than you know.
mercyprosperity you sound very closed minded and idiotic. I see why you never responded troll.
@@Bigwave2003 The original detective was told by people close to Brian that he was struggling with his sexuality.....
I’ve rewatched this video many times. The Brian Shaffer case is one of my favorites. And this video is well researched. You covered everything and the honest truth is this case brings more questions than answers. We may never know what happened.
My personal theory is he left with the band or a couple of members through the back elevator that wasn’t covered my a camera. Got in a car with one and met with foul play. Probably killed and his body may never be found. But again we may never know.
I cannot believe he would just take off and put his father and younger brother through anymore turmoil, especially considering his mother's recent death. Most medical professionals I know go into that field because they care about people and he would certainly be aware of the psychological damages he would inflict on those he loved if he disappeared. If the stress did get to him & he had left, I think after time he would have called his father and/or little brother. I think he walked home & something happened outside on his way. Also, I'm always suspicious when a "friend" lawyers up. Clint was with a girlfriend so he had an alibi. Why would he need a lawyer? He would know what hell Brian's father and brother were going through.
This case is bizarre. His disapearance is truly baffling. His absence is a true loss to society wow a medical student. He could have been a good doctor. So sad. How can someone enter a dwelling and never come out?
I woke up early, was praying you uploaded already ~ you rock! :D :D :D Yay!!
i watched this story on dateline once and now looking at it now also it reminds me of a story near my home in australia a guy was at a club with his friends then simply disappeared. anyway it wasnt till quite some time later that they found him between two walls he had attempted to hide and jump out to scare his friends but died from being jammed tightly in the walls and it wasnt an area very visable to anyone and from memory i think they found him when renovations were being done. I am going from memory here but i recall there was no reports of smells or anything. I also think (just a thought) as a medical student he had access to gentle ways to kill himself so wouldnt really subscribe to that theory.
Hey John just wanted to say I'm new to ur channel and I am now hooked and have nothing but much Respect for u 🙌 and what u do for these family's ❤ you are truely a special kind of person🙌 wish they made more people like you the world needs it❤ I pray Brian Shaffer is found🙏❤
Wouldn't the girls he was talking to know if he walked back in the bar ?
Very good question! I wonder if investigators ever asked them?
The stress of his mom's death, exams, and the prospect of proposing marriage were likely factors that caused Brian to become very inebriated. Once inebriated and alone, a person is vulnerable to an accident or a crime. The fact that his body was not found suggests he fell victim to foul play. But there have been rare cases where bodies were found after decades behind heavy noisy refrigerated vending machines or inside chimneys. It should be possible to search a building like that to rule out this possibility. If bathrooms were busy and Brian felt sick, he may have looked for a secluded spot to throw up. If he aspirated and died, the bar could have been motivated to cover it up. The only place a body could go undetected indoors would be inside a freezer or incinerator. I don't think this was a suicide or escapism. I think he died that morning.
A couple of things:
Relating to the theory of him doing a well-planned disappearing (money set aside etc), would you really get very drunk? Seems like you'd want your wits about you. Plus, inviting his brother to meet him later doesn't fit with that.
My question is, is there more information about his bar tab? Had he paid it out before going out to talk to the girls? Did his friend pay it out? Was it left unpaid? That might shed some light on his intention.
Never touched his bank account or used his credit cards. Never contacted his family even after his dad died. I think that theory makes no sense. I personally think something very bad happened to him. Hope I'm wrong but I think he is dead. Hope they find him one day soon.
The more I read about this case the more I think Clint knows more than he’s said so far
"Just for geographical references and to put things in perspective, you go up the escalators and turn to the right for Ugly Tuna. Turn to the left, and you're at a movie theater."
I just graduated from OSU this year and I frequented the ugly tuna from 2015-2016. Now maybe the layout is different now, but the ugly tuna is also attached to a movie theatre (if you go left at the top of the escalators its a movie theater, go right and its the entrance to the bar). I'm sure this would have been thought of by now, but if the movie theatre (or some other establishment) was there when he went missing maybe that is how he exited the area? This case has really fascinated me since finding out about it a few years ago and I have actually tried to imagine how he would have exited the area undetected, and either he vanished or he knew precisely where to go to avoid being seen, meaning he had probably organized this for a while.
Also, the reason they have police sitting around pretty much doing nothing is because that's how they try to prevent people from getting too hammered, it's a college campus.
Really interesting comment I found on reddit: My FIL is an editor at the Dispatch and has had a very close working relationship with CPD for the 30+ years. The last time we had a detective over for dinner, he was saying the working theory is he's in the concrete and they do suspect foul play but insurance and very wealthy people will not absorb the cost of proving that when all there is is circumstantial evidence.
If someone wants to leave their life behind, I just think that they're going to do it with just a bit more planning.
Looking at this rather simply, if he isn't seen leaving and hasn't been found, he must still be there. To me, no other explanation makes sense.
Nicole Hottinger I agree, problem is the cadaver dogs searched the bar and they're extremely sensitive to rotting flesh. He's not there and he never left.
@@blake7871 The Ugly Tuna does have a very large trash grinder on the premises that could've been used to dispose of his body.
Nicole Hottinger I know this is an old comment but if there’s the back exit where the band members bring in equipment like that elevator then he could’ve left that way with the band and got in a car. Simple explanation to why no cameras ever captured him.
@@dannigro8794 but there was a camera.. it was pointed at hallway .. he would of been seen on camera no matter where he left the building..
It's been 14 years since he went missing.. I think law enforcement should release the videos and see what happens. And ..i recently came across a channel where the host stated that one of the cameras was set to Manuel override at the time Brian disappeared..
I think the channel is called
Brian Shaffer dead or alive..
Please look into it ..the host interviews a Detective also and it's all fairly recent interviews .
Drunk, wandering through a high crime district in an alcoholic blackout = dead.
Im thinking he left his life voluntarily and planned it. He probably saved up money, got other clothes, glasses and whatever else he needed. He asked his brother to meet him at the bar as a last goodbye along with his friends. Regardless, I feel sorry for his brother. Has authorities checked his past, financial situation, school background and grades, any outstanding big bills, or gambling debts....Maybe there was a reason he wanted to leave. Hope we can figure this one out! thanks John:)
This is still the best on youtube!
HI John good video. I have listened to many podcasts about this case and have seen videos and read up on it. I like your videos and your insight about the case and bringing light to these cases so props for that. However please don't put out there the whole he never went back into the bar theory .Yeah there is no camera that goes all the way into the bar but you can see him making a fast B-Line back toward the bar entrance. I am not sure how much you have read up on websleuth or reddit or elsewhere about this case but the idiocracy out there is at an all time high. You read all the crazy theories from aliens took him, he is buried in concrete in the building, he was put in a trash compactor, he jumped from the balcony, he was killed in the bar and hidden somewhere with a bar full of people. Any loony conspiracy theory you can think of is out there. You have a good fan base and people respect your opinion so if you put that out there then you will see many people start saying I don't think he made it back into the bar and after that it takes off and before you know it he is secretly superman and flew up through the roof.
Hi Jeffrey I agree with you as well. Thanks for putting up your comment. I listen to a lot of the podcasts and RUclipsrs on True Crime because I like to be informed and hear about the cases. My wife and I both have an educational college background in Criminal Justice. So when we listen to these podcasts we try to look at it from a practical angle. That's why I tend to stay away from Websleuths and Reddit even though it's interesting the Drama of each case always reaches a Soap Opera high. I think Arm Chair Detective can help as long as it's providing accurate information and realistic opinions. If you listen to certain cases and people's theories on them it's crazy. A perfect example is the Tara Grindstead Case. Go look at some message boards you will hear every possible theory except for the most simple one which is a Home Invasion gone bad. That's too simple it doesn't reach the message board dramatic high. To them it has to be a love triangle or something dramatic. I'll say it again I enjoy Searchlight or I wouldn't be watching the video and I enjoy the accurate information provided and John's caring about each case. However in this one there is no conclusion you can draw other than Brian went back in the Bar. I wish there was a camera right there to show him walking through the door however there is not. It's clear though he walked fast in the direction of the entrance. He didn't climb up the railing and hop over the two security guards and walk just out of site passed all the closed door down to the floor avoiding all detection. It makes no sense at all. He went back into the bar 100 percent it's just what happened after that
The ping from his cell phone 14 miles away is pretty creepy. Near a cell phone tower? Usually those are in remote locations. Maybe the construction company or business that covered up his death in the construction site or trash grinder by bringing his belongings out to a remote location because they knew the cell phone could be tracked.
John: did they go and look for his cell phone where it pinged from? Surely they must have driven to the location of his cell phone ping to investigate? IF his phone was actually at this cell phone tower 14 miles away, that creates other possibilities.
On 2nd thought: the ping could have been a glitch like the three rings. Considering the ping is coming from a cell phone tower, this seems very possible.
18:34 Here's what you're seeing. The camera is mounted to a back wall on the second level. There's nothing down there in the lobby, except the exit/entrance doors and the elevator. When you come up the escalator, to your right is the entrance to the Ugly Toona Saloona (camera left). To your left is the entrance to the Gateway Cinema, which is what the guards are blocking entrance to. (Last showing is usually around midnight.) In the photo, the ticket counter is straight back and the concession stand would be to the right, off camera, behind the guards.
Here's the thing. I live near the Gateway, and there's always the occasional dumbass that goes out to the balcony and climbs down. That's why there's usually guards outside making sure nobody falls/climbs down the 20 foot open air balcony at the Ugly Toona. Though unlikely, he *could* have left through the balcony. When he walked home, he could have been mugged, drugged, or otherwise met a nefarious end. At this time, there was a lot of crime in that section of Columbus. I'll explain in detail here:
Columbus is a refugee city for Somali expatriates. Where Brian's apartment was was literally the "black Somali" neighborhood and crime was rampant. That's not a racist statement, it's a statement of fact (I'm black btw and I won't go there after dark.) It's been cleaned up since then because they figured they could get more money from college kids rather than Section 8. But at the time, muggings and rape were common. Make of that what you will, but this is where I believe he met his end.
And yes, you're correct, those doors are what you enter to get into the Gateway. The Torpedo Room is a bar located inside the Film Center. Basically the only businesses you can enter are the Film Center and the Ugly Toona. The other businesses in the square are completely inaccessible from the main building where the Toona/Film Center is. The construction that was taking place at the time of Brian's disappearance was the Mad Mex restaurant downstairs, specifically, a conversion of the OSU guard office into a restaurant. I don't remember exactly whether or not the canopy was up at this time but it's possible.
The Toona does stink, but it's not the smell of death. You have to think that the place gets FULL of college kids on Friday and Saturday night and the putrid smell is a combination of sweat, alcohol and puke. It doesn't get a chance to air out during the week. The place is almost impenetrable during the weekend it gets so packed, really a claustrophobic place that only college kids could have a good time. The music is absolutely blaring. Put another way, Brian was much, much older than most of the crowd that goes there.
How does this bar throw away their trash? If he was murdered, couldn't he have been left in a dumpster?
The police checked all trash and dumpsters when Brian was declared missing so I doubt he was disposed of there
I was next door , to the left of the escalators for a speech on schizophrenia. There was a documentary called Saving Millie, Out of the Darkness. This business was like a college campus classroom.
John, I have to compliment you. I just saw this story on another channel and it was like switching from hearty beef stew to thin gruel. No sources, no insights...
If my friend disappeared I wouldn't need or want an attorney if I wasn't guilty of something.
As an attorney, I can tell you that I'd hire an attorney. Investigators and officers are not your friends, and they make mistakes, often resulting in innocent people being railroaded.
Nikki V
Imagine if someone you cared about died of unnatural circumstances. You're gonna want to mourn, but between the cops, and the press you can hardly move, least mourn. Having an attorney will help keep them away because they know you've been told not to talk.
Clint was obviously going to be looked at right away, since he was one of the last people to see Brian. So I completely understand getting a lawyer. And I understand him refusing to take a polygraph. Those things are so unreliable, I would refuse to take one too.
Nikki V if someone is accusing you of murder you would...
Anyone who has ever had police accusing them of a crime would not have a hard time at all understanding why he would want a lawyer. And I have no doubt they came at him in an accusatory way since he was the last person Brian was with that night. It was a smart move and I would have absolutely done the same.
Also John - the door is for the bar ONLY, it is NOT a mall, you were right on your first perception, the stairwell /escalator your see is the same from the outside view/ the second video is inside the building the only way out of the bar is down the escalator,
The band leaves by another exit. He could have left the bar with them, possibly hidden by a large instrument case.
Whats strange is if you view the google map street level pictures, you can actually enter the building and go up the escalator. This shows that the bar's entrance is directly to the right when you get off the escalator. The complete opposite direction that we see Brian go when he leaves the camera view.
A few blocks to the bridge, depressed, drunk. (ref gf: move on). That says it all.
That "mezzanine" area is for a movie theater, which is to the right of what's in frame on the security camera (the area in the back of the frame, at that time, I believe was a seating area). It's to the left when you get off the escalator. There are fire exits in the movie houses, which are plausible escape routes. That said, if there were still late movies playing, there'd probably still be some movie theater staff working in that area, so I don't think he could get by them, let alone the Columbus Police officers in the video. Those officers are there every night.
I don't think he jumped off the balcony. Unless the bar is dead, there are lots of people both on the balcony and walking through that area below. Someone would've seen it.
The Torpedo Room is part of the movie theater and did not exist until 2015 or so.
If you get off the escalator at the top and walk straight ahead, I believe that's where the OSU office is. Pretty sure it's locked at night. You take a right to get to Ugly Tuna.
The sign with 312 on it is a sign for Ugly Tuna, I believe, or the Mad Mex restaurant outside and to the right of the doors to the entrance to Ugly Tuna.
Thank you so much for the video, I appreciate your diligence, your time and effort, and your dedication to cases like Brian's. Regarding Brian's case, do you by chance have any inkling with regards to Clint reportedly spending six hours in Brian's apartment the morning / the day immediately after Brian went missing? This would have been right after he (Clint) would have last been with Brian. I think the concern is what was he doing at Brian's apartment for six hours? Did Clint have a key to Brian's apartment? If not how did he get in? Which also brings into question the possibility of Brian actually being there at his apartment some of that time. I don't think it's a stretch at all that Brian somehow may have left the Ugly Tuna somehow without being seen on video cameras, and ended up back at his own apartment. Given that scenario, what was Clint doing there? Did something happen there? If so, what, and what happened to Brian afterward? I'm sure you already have knowledge of all this information but thought I would ask anyway. If not , or if you would like the link to it please let me know.
I do know that has been said, but I can't seem to find a good source to back up that it actually occurred.
Thanks John for doing Brians case. Would you also consider doing one on Judith Smith at all here - trailwentcold.com/2016/05/11/the-trail-went-cold-episode-7-judy-smith/ - a big big mystery just like Brians has become, and it is 20th anniversary of Judith's body being found in September this year [7th Sept].
20:40..yes. Escalators immediately
inside. Those are Cbus Police, very common in OSU area bars. Movie theater and small office is closed after 12 midnight.
To me this is the most intriguing mystery case that I know of 😩
312 is a beer lol, that's a sign for the saloona.
I can't see this guy just walking off and leaving his dad. I'm thinking he must be in there or something happened like he fell down something. hmmm
Well it seems the establishment had something to do with this and covered it up its the only explanation I subscribed to your channel greetings from Germany
I used to live around here. it's an 8 minute drive from here to Hilliard. Yeah, a few blocks from here you get the 'west side bottoms' area, very scary area. I remember when this happened, it has always scared me, as well.
I lived right a block away on 12th & Chittenden. That's pretty much the line where it gets bad. I'm happy to be out of that town. I never did like Cbus.
The friend's comment sounded like someone who might be a little jealous of the attention that Brian gets. It doesn't necessarily mean Brian was pursuing just that he gets a lot of attention from women regularly which I can see, he's an attractive man.
He didn't look like he was drunk at all from the surveillance camera clip.
He returned the bar right before it closed and a " fun" just began right inside the bar. His buddy, Clint, and someone in the bar orchestrated his runaway.
There's always some dead areas surveillance cameras can't cover.
So sorry for his family and his gf then.
A frustrating thing about these cases is when excessive amounts of alcohol are involved. When people are inebriated, they do things and behave in ways that don't make sense. I've been there. If something happens, we then try to make sense of their actions (or our own) using a sober, clear-headed approach and most of the time it's met with frustration. Been there too. The one thing I know from experience that makes you do strange things is....drum roll: chasing women around. (Even when not drunk.) That sort of thing has many a fool of many a good man. Brian was a young, smart, handsome guy with a bright future. Lots of young women would definitely be there for him to have the opportunity and realistic chance of a intimate encounter. This is just so strange and like John said, the window of opportunity for something to happen is so narrow it's downright bewildering. I don't believe he was abducted. Even though he was drunk, he was 6'2" 170. Maybe a little thin for that height, but still not an easy target. He was a young, strong guy. If it was foul play, most of the time the perpetrators don't hide the body. Rather, they just leave it where the crime occurred. Especially in a bar district like that, those with nefarious intentions wait on the perimeter of the main strip to catch and rob drunk people on the way home. Their drunken state makes them easier targets. Not only do I think this had nothing to do with any smiley face theory, I'm not necessarily sold on that whole thing, period. This reminds me of the case you covered where that guy in Toronto disappeared near Lake Erie, then his body was found in the water some time later. Also, I think of the guy in England who we now know was probably asleep in a dumpster after a night of drinking when the garbage truck scooped him up. It was very puzzling before we knew what happened in those cases. The "why" in those cases my never be known but at least we know the "what". I suspect it's something similar with this case. He was probably very impaired, walked off somewhere, made a strange decision and in some freak occurrence lost his life. Whatever happened worked out to where his body was never found. Anyway, this is a very sad case about a young guy with so much going for him. My deepest condolences to his family. I'll checkout the podcasts you mentioned and thanks for covering this.
I agree with narrator and like the maps feature. IMO he left premises and was the victim of foul play on his walk back home. Intoxicated folks make easy prey for street criminals. However, the absence of a body is puzzling. Normally thugs will not take the trouble to get rid of a body. They will just hide it quickly out of sight but not very well, and the body turns up soon afterwards. Not in this case.