BRILLIANT MED STUDENT GOES IN BAR, NEVER COMES OUT: WHERE'S BRIAN?
Digest
This episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace delves into the baffling disappearance of Brian Schaeffer, a 27-year-old medical student who vanished without a trace after entering a bar in Columbus, Ohio. The episode meticulously reconstructs Schaeffer's last known movements, starting with a celebratory dinner with his father on Friday night, followed by a pub crawl with friends that ended at the Ugly Tuna Saloona. Surveillance footage captures Schaeffer entering the bar at 1:15 a.m. but never leaving, despite the bar closing at 2:00 a.m. and his friends waiting for him outside. Despite extensive investigations, including searches of the bar, surrounding areas, and even the sewer system, no evidence of Schaeffer's whereabouts has been found. The episode explores various theories, including foul play, suicide, and a possible escape from the bar through a back exit, but none of these theories hold up under scrutiny. The episode concludes with a sense of frustration and uncertainty, leaving the mystery of Brian Schaeffer's disappearance unsolved.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the case of Brian Schaeffer, a 27-year-old medical student who vanished without a trace after entering a bar in Columbus, Ohio. The episode begins with a brief overview of the case and the mystery surrounding Schaeffer's disappearance.
Timeline of Events
This Chapter delves into the timeline of events leading up to Brian Schaeffer's disappearance. It details his last known movements, including a celebratory dinner with his father, a pub crawl with friends, and his final appearance on surveillance footage entering the Ugly Tuna Saloona. The chapter also highlights the lack of evidence suggesting Schaeffer ever left the bar.
Who is Brian Schaeffer?
This Chapter provides background information on Brian Schaeffer, focusing on his personal life, family, and academic achievements. It also mentions the recent death of his mother from cancer and how he seemed to be coping with the loss.
Theories and Investigations
This Chapter explores various theories surrounding Brian Schaeffer's disappearance, including foul play, suicide, and a possible escape from the bar through a back exit. The chapter also discusses the extensive investigations conducted by police and private investigators, which have yielded no conclusive evidence.
Similar Cases
This Chapter examines other cases of individuals who have disappeared after entering buildings, highlighting the similarities and differences between these cases and Brian Schaeffer's disappearance. The chapter also explores the challenges faced by investigators in solving these types of cases.
Conclusion
This Chapter summarizes the key points of the episode and reiterates the mystery surrounding Brian Schaeffer's disappearance. It also emphasizes the ongoing efforts by police and the public to find answers and bring closure to the case.
Keywords
Brian Schaeffer
Brian Schaeffer was a 27-year-old medical student who vanished without a trace after entering a bar in Columbus, Ohio, in April 2006. His disappearance remains a mystery, with no evidence of his whereabouts ever being found. The case has been widely publicized and has generated significant interest from the public and media.
Ugly Tuna Saloona
The Ugly Tuna Saloona is a bar located in Columbus, Ohio, where Brian Schaeffer was last seen alive. Surveillance footage captured him entering the bar at 1:15 a.m. but never leaving, despite the bar closing at 2:00 a.m. The bar has become a focal point in the investigation into Schaeffer's disappearance.
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital city of Ohio and the location where Brian Schaeffer vanished. The city has a large population and a vibrant nightlife scene. The investigation into Schaeffer's disappearance has involved extensive searches of the city, including the bar where he was last seen and surrounding areas.
Missing Person Case
Brian Schaeffer's disappearance is a missing person case that has remained unsolved for over a decade. Missing person cases are often challenging to investigate, as they can involve a wide range of circumstances, from accidental disappearances to foul play. The investigation into Schaeffer's disappearance has been hampered by the lack of evidence and the numerous theories surrounding his disappearance.
Surveillance Footage
Surveillance footage played a key role in the investigation into Brian Schaeffer's disappearance. Footage from the Ugly Tuna Saloona captured him entering the bar but never leaving. However, despite extensive searches of other surveillance footage in the area, no evidence of Schaeffer's whereabouts has been found. The lack of surveillance footage showing Schaeffer leaving the bar has fueled speculation about his disappearance.
Conspiracy Theories
Conspiracy theories have emerged surrounding Brian Schaeffer's disappearance, with some people speculating that he was killed or that his disappearance was staged. Conspiracy theories often arise in unsolved cases, as people try to make sense of the unknown. The episode explores some of the most common conspiracy theories surrounding Schaeffer's disappearance and examines their validity.
Unsolved Mystery
Brian Schaeffer's disappearance remains an unsolved mystery, with no definitive answers about what happened to him. Unsolved mysteries often captivate the public's imagination, as they raise questions about the nature of reality and the limits of human knowledge. The episode highlights the frustration and uncertainty that often accompany unsolved mysteries.
Q&A
What are the key events leading up to Brian Schaeffer's disappearance?
Brian Schaeffer had a celebratory dinner with his father on Friday night, followed by a pub crawl with friends that ended at the Ugly Tuna Saloona. Surveillance footage shows him entering the bar at 1:15 a.m. but never leaving, despite the bar closing at 2:00 a.m. and his friends waiting for him outside.
What are some of the theories surrounding Brian Schaeffer's disappearance?
Theories include foul play, suicide, and a possible escape from the bar through a back exit. However, none of these theories have been substantiated by evidence.
Why is Brian Schaeffer's case so perplexing?
The case is perplexing because there is no evidence of Schaeffer leaving the bar, despite extensive searches of the bar, surrounding areas, and even the sewer system. The lack of evidence has fueled speculation and conspiracy theories.
What is the significance of the cell phone ping six months after Schaeffer's disappearance?
The cell phone ping in Hilliard, Ohio, six months after Schaeffer's disappearance, offered a glimmer of hope that he might be alive. However, the phone company attributed the activity to a glitch, and no further evidence has emerged to support the theory that Schaeffer is alive.
What is the role of conspiracy theories in unsolved cases?
Conspiracy theories often arise in unsolved cases, as people try to make sense of the unknown. While some conspiracy theories may be harmless, others can be harmful and can hinder the investigation. The episode explores the psychology behind conspiracy theories and their impact on unsolved cases.
What is the significance of the comment on Randy Schaeffer's online obituary?
The comment on Randy Schaeffer's online obituary, claiming to be from Brian and stating that he was alive in the US Virgin Islands, initially offered a promising lead. However, the message turned out to be a hoax, adding another layer of frustration to the case.
What is the impact of unsolved mysteries on the families of the missing?
Unsolved mysteries can have a devastating impact on the families of the missing, leaving them with a sense of grief, uncertainty, and unanswered questions. The episode highlights the emotional toll that unsolved mysteries can take on families and the importance of finding closure.
Show Notes
Brian Shaffer makes the 30-minute drive from Columbus to celebrate the start of Spring Break with a steak dinner at his father’s house.
Over dinner, Brian excitedly discusses his upcoming vacation to Miami with girlfriend, Alexis Waggoner. According to family, Brian plans to propose. Brian also mentions his plans to go out that evening with his former roommate, William “Clint” Florence.
At 9:00 p.m, Brian Shaffer meets up with Clint Florence at the Ugly Tuna Saloona, a popular college bar on the second floor of the Gateway Building. Around 10:00 PM, Shaffer calls his girlfriend, Alexis Waggoner to check in before he and Florence leave for another bar in the Arena district. Shaffer and Florence each have a shot at several bars before meeting up with Florence’s friend, Meredith Reed, around midnight. The group heads back to the Ugly Tuna in Reed’s car for one last round.
At 1:15 aa.m., Shaffer, Florence, and Reed head up the Gateway Building’s escalator to the Ugly Tuna and partake in one more round of shots while listening to the band. Shaffer gives Florence and Reed some time alone, and chats with two women just outside the bar until 1:55 a.m.
Just 5 minutes later, the bar is closing and masses of patrons head down the escalator, but Florence and Reed can’t find Shaffer. The pair eventually assumes that Shaffer went home, likely walking to his off-campus apartment just six blocks away.
Saturday morning, Alexis Waggoner calls her boyfriend to nail down some final plans for their upcoming vacation. It goes straight to Brian Shaffer’s voicemail, but Waggoner assumes Shaffer is sleeping off the night before. That afternoon, a second call from Waggoner goes to voicemail.
Shaffer isn’t answering his father either. On Sunday, Derek Shaffer heads to his brother’s apartment. Brian’s car is parked outside, and nothing’s amiss inside his apartment, but no Brian. Monday morning, Brian Shaffer doesn’t show at the airport. Randy Shaffer immediately reports his son missing.
Investigators immediately look to surveillance footage at the Gateway building. Shaffer is last seen walking off camera toward the Tuna’s entrance—but Shaffer never comes back down the escalator. Shaffer isn’t caught outside the building at an emergency exit, either. It appears Shaffer never left the building.
The only other exit from the second floor is a service door not meant for public use. The service door leads to an area of the building under construction, where a temporary freight elevator is installed, but climbing down the service ladder would have been tough for a sober person, much less an intoxicated one.
Surveillance cameras from nearby bars also should have spotted Shaffer leaving from that first floor exit. Columbus police search garbage that left the Gateway building, the sewers below, and use dogs to comb a miles-wide radius. There’s no sign of Brian Shaffer.
JOINING NANCY GRACE TODAY:
- Matthew Mangino – Attorney, Former District Attorney (Lawrence County); Author: “The Executioner’s Toll: The Crimes, Arrests, Trials, Appeals, Last Meals, Final Words and Executions of 46 Persons in the United States”
- Steve Fischer – Missing Persons Private Investigator, Search & Rescue Specialist, & Owner of Search Investigations; X: @SF_Investigates (helping in the search for Riley)
- Dr. Angela Arnold – Psychiatrist, Atlanta GA. Expert in the Treatment of Pregnant/Postpartum Women, Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology: Emory University, Former Medical Director of The Psychiatric Ob-Gyn Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital
- Todd G. Shipley, CFE, CFCE– Cyber Crime Expert, and Author: “Investigating Internet Crimes: An Introduction to Solving Crimes in Cyberspace;” X: @webcase
- Sydney Sumner - CrimeOnline Investigative Reporter
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