Digest

This episode of Going Last revisits the very first case they covered, the mysterious disappearance of Brandon Swanson in 2008. Brandon, a responsible and intelligent 19-year-old, left a party in Canby, Minnesota, and took backroads instead of the highway, likely to avoid a DUI. His car got stuck in a ditch, and he called his parents for help. Despite giving clear instructions, they couldn't find him. During a 47-minute phone call, Brandon told his dad he was walking towards town lights, but then abruptly yelled "Oh shit!" and the call ended. Police found his car in a ditch 25 minutes away from where he thought he was, and despite extensive searches, no trace of Brandon was ever found. The case remains unsolved, with theories ranging from a fall into the Yellow Medicine River to foul play on a nearby farm. The lack of evidence and the strange circumstances surrounding the case continue to baffle investigators and listeners alike.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the hosts, Tee and Daphne, and the podcast, Going Last. They announce that they are revisiting their very first case, which is the disappearance of Brandon Swanson.

00:02:05

Brandon Swanson's Disappearance

This Chapter details the events leading up to Brandon Swanson's disappearance. Brandon, a 19-year-old college student, left a party in Canby, Minnesota, and took backroads to avoid a DUI. His car got stuck in a ditch, and he called his parents for help. Despite giving clear instructions, they couldn't find him. During a 47-minute phone call, Brandon told his dad he was walking towards town lights, but then abruptly yelled "Oh shit!" and the call ended.

00:03:24

Brandon's Background

This Chapter provides background information on Brandon Swanson. He was a responsible, intelligent, and kind young man who was studying wind turbine technology. He was known to be a big reader, especially history, and enjoyed physics and string theory. He was also interested in renewable energy.

00:54:22

Theories and Speculation

This Chapter explores various theories surrounding Brandon's disappearance. The sheriff suggested that someone could have been in the shadows and taken him. Other theories include a fall into the Yellow Medicine River, foul play on a nearby farm, or an encounter with a wild animal. The lack of evidence and the strange circumstances surrounding the case make it difficult to pinpoint a specific cause.

01:05:49

The Ongoing Mystery

This Chapter discusses the ongoing mystery surrounding Brandon's disappearance. He remains on the FBI missing person's list and the ViCap list, indicating that foul play cannot be ruled out. The case continues to generate speculation and questions, with no answers to this day.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are the key events leading up to Brandon Swanson's disappearance?

  Brandon left a party in Canby, Minnesota, and took backroads to avoid a DUI. His car got stuck in a ditch, and he called his parents for help. Despite giving clear instructions, they couldn't find him. During a 47-minute phone call, Brandon told his dad he was walking towards town lights, but then abruptly yelled "Oh shit!" and the call ended.

• What are some of the theories surrounding Brandon's disappearance?

  Theories include a fall into the Yellow Medicine River, foul play on a nearby farm, or an encounter with a wild animal. The lack of evidence and the strange circumstances surrounding the case make it difficult to pinpoint a specific cause.

• Why is the case of Brandon Swanson so baffling?

  The case is baffling because there is no clear explanation for what happened to Brandon. His car was found in a ditch, but there was no sign of a struggle or injury. His phone call ended abruptly, and he was never found. The lack of evidence and the strange circumstances surrounding the case continue to baffle investigators and listeners alike.

• What is the significance of the phone call ending with Brandon yelling "Oh shit!"?

  The phone call ending abruptly with a cry of "Oh shit!" is one of the most disturbing and mysterious aspects of the case. It suggests that something sudden and unexpected happened to Brandon, but the exact nature of the event remains unknown.

• What role did the Yellow Medicine River play in the investigation?

  Police searched the Yellow Medicine River extensively, as it was the most likely source of the running water sounds that Brandon heard. However, they ruled out the possibility that he had fallen into the river because his body would have surfaced.

• Why is it significant that some property owners refused to allow police to search their land?

  The refusal of some property owners to allow police to search their land raises suspicion. It is possible that Brandon came into contact with someone or something on one of these properties, and the owners are trying to conceal evidence.

• What is the current status of the Brandon Swanson case?

  The case remains unsolved, and Brandon has never been found. He is on the FBI missing person's list and the ViCap list, indicating that foul play cannot be ruled out.

• What kind of person was Brandon Swanson?

  Brandon was a responsible, intelligent, and kind young man who was studying wind turbine technology. He was known to be a big reader, especially history, and enjoyed physics and string theory. He was also interested in renewable energy.

• What is the significance of the fact that Brandon's car doors were found open?

  The fact that Brandon's car doors were found open is strange and unexplained. It is possible that someone went into the car looking for evidence, or that the doors were opened by someone else after Brandon left the vehicle.

• What is the role of the public in helping to solve the case?

  The public can play a vital role in helping to solve the case by providing any information they may have about Brandon's disappearance. Even seemingly insignificant details could be helpful to investigators.

Show Notes