This Month’s Featured Case - Brian Shaffer
Posted by coltonleviclark on January 4, 2008
January 2008
Brian Shaffer
The Disappearance
Brian Shaffer was a second year med student at Ohio State University in the spring of 2006. His mother had battled a devastating and fatal illness with cancer and his girlfriend, Alexis Waggoner had been visiting her family.
Spring Break was about to be in full swing and Brian and his ex roommate Clint Florence headed out that Friday to have some drinks at the local bars.
The two men arrived at the Ugly Tuna Saloon around 9:15PM and had a few shots. He and Alexis spoke on his cell phone around 10:30PM. Brian and Clint then left the Ugly Tuna Saloon around 11:00PM and walked to Short North Tavern and then to another bar around 11:40PM. By 1:15AM they were back at the Ugly Tuna where their evening had begun.
Brian can be seen in the grainy surveillance video returning to the Ugly Tuna around 1:15AM. He can also he seen on the foyer near the escalators speaking with some girls that Clint knew. He then walks out of the bottom right side of the camera and Brian Shaffer disappears into thin air.
Brian - last images of him
By 2:00M its closing time. Clint calls Brian on his cell phone and it goes straight to voicemail. He goes to the men’s room and looks for him but Brian is not there either. Eventually Clint assumes Brian has left and he leaves as well.
Saturday, April 1st Alexis continuously tried to call Brian with no luck. The couple had plans to leave town for a Spring Break vacation in Florida that following Monday. By Sunday she was scared and knew something was not right.
A Mystery
One baffling aspect of this case that still perplexes law enforcement today is the fact that Brian could not be seen on surveillance leaving the bar after he had re-entered. Both bar exits are covered by cameras, as is the escalator in which you see Brian enter and leave and enter again.
Outside the bar, out of camera view, are stairs and an elevator that lead to the first floor. Once on the first floor, the only way out, without being seen on tape, would be through a service exit that leads to a construction site, with doors to the street.
Brian’s credit cards, bank account and cell phone have not been used. There have been no significant leads to indicate what happened that Friday night.
Connections or Coincidence?
Since 1997 at least eight college men were found dead in local rivers after a night out at local taverns or bars in the mid-west. Many started to wonder if there was a serial killer in our midst, preying on vulnerable inebriated men.
The series of deaths began in July 1997, when the body of 19-year-old Richard Hlavaty was found in the Mississippi. In 2004 the body of 21-year-old UW-La Crosse wrestler Jared Dion was also found in the Mississippi river. In September 2006 UW-La Crosse basketball player Luke Homan was again found in the Mississippi and a month later police classified the death of Chris Jenkins, a University of Minnesota student as a murder and not accidental.
According to a criminologist at Minnesota’s St. Cloud State University, more than twenty college-aged men had drowned after disappearing from bars or parties since 1997 in an area from Minnesota to Ohio.
However, in September of 2007 after La Crosse police asked the FBI’s National Center for Analysis of Violent Crime to review their investigations, the FBI stated that they had found no evidence to support a theory of a serial killer and contributed the deaths to excessive drinking. Some are not convinced however and think they police are trying to avoid publicity.
One name that has continuously been linked with Brian Shaffer’s disappearance is that of Anthony “Tony” Luzio. On the evening of July 3, 2005 Tony had gone to a friend’s house to play cards. Afterwards he stopped at a local hangout and around 2:30AM Tony and a group of friends went to a party, one mile from Tony’s parents house in Powell, Ohio.
Tony was last seen leaving the party at 4:00AM, presumably to his apartment. That was the last time anyone ever saw Tony Luzio again. His 2004 Honda Civic is also missing and has never been recovered. He disappeared just 15 miles from where Brian Shaffer disappeared.
In November of 2005 29-year-old Mohamed Rihani also disappeared in the same close proximity after leaving his residence in the vicinity of Riverview Drive and Olentangy River Road in Columbus, Ohio. He too was driving a Honda Civic, black in color. Both he and his vehicle have vanished.
Where it Stands
Since Brian Shaffer’s disappearance, other college-aged men have also disappeared, although not close in vicinity to the disappearances of the previous mentioned men.
In November of 2007 18-year-old Justin Gaines disappeared from Wild Bill’s in Duluth, Georgia and just one week later Kyle Fleischmann disappeared from the Buckhead Saloon in Charlotte, North Carolina. December 23, 2007 21-year-old Joshua Szostak disappeared after leaving the Bayou Café on North Pearl Street in Albany, New York.
It does seem that young males have a false sense of security when being out and about, thinking that nothing can happen to them. All these young men that were mentioned were in good shape and seemed very capable of taking care of themselves. However, once alone and intoxicated, one can become vulnerable and a victim.
Today Brian’s father (as well as all the other families of these missing men) continues the quest to find answers and to find his son. After all, not knowing is the hardest.
Related Links:
FBI: No Serial Killer in River Drownings
Find Brian Shaffer
Brian Shaffer’s Myspace
Dateline - Into Thin Air
Dateline NBC Video - Into Thin Air
January 5, 2008 at 4:25 am
Mr. Clark-
I read your post today regarding Brian Shaffer. Thank you very much for remembering Brian and taking the time to study his case. I did not know Brian but have had the opportunity to meet his father since Brian’s disappearance. Brian is always on my mind and I continually replay the known events of the night he disappeared.
Thank you again for making him the case of the month. Brian’s family deserves answers and I do not believe they will come unless we continue to research this case and keep it in the news.
LD
January 15, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I want to thank you too. Here in Albany, NY we are very concerned about Josh Szostak, who disappeared on the way back to his car in our small city. And yes, we have a river…. No one has seen him since a surveillance camera caught an image the night he disappeared, December 22…..
April 2, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I was just curious why doesn’t anyone post the full surveillance video on this site or anywhere else on the internet? I mean the more people that can see those tapes and the people that are in that area the better chances of getting some information. Does anyone know where you can view the full tapes?
April 30, 2008 at 3:40 am
There was a body found in the Olentangy river on April 29, 2008, that the Columbus Dispatch and the Lantern published. The body was said to be about 40 years of age, and although this does not correlate with the other college aged men, perhaps it is still a significant piece of evidence.
July 22, 2008 at 3:09 am
I just watched physic kids and this case was on it, since I’ve watched it, I cant get him and the events of that night off my mind. I am also from Ohio, and it always comes as a shock to hear about something like this hitting this close to home. I hope for everyone involved with Brian and this case gets answers soon. My prayers go out to you!
July 22, 2008 at 3:18 am
I just finished watching physic kids and this case was featured on it. since hearing about the case and Brian I cant get him and the events that took place that night off my mind. I’m also from Ohio, and go down to Columbus all the time. It’s hard to imagine that something like this could happen so close to home. I pray for the family and friends of Brian that he be brought home. You are all in my prayers!
My best wishes.
July 22, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Brandi:
I didnt watch the episode. What did it show?
July 22, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Psychic Kids were given little, if any, information on the case. They were taken to the Ugly Tuna to see if there was anything they could “pick up”. The three of them all agreed that A) a “dirty blonde” was not telling the whole truth in the case. B) He was being watched from the balcony by someone (friend) with jealous feelings and C) It was a dispute that went to far, becoming an “accident”. I initially saw this story on a “Spring Breaks Gone Wrong” show. Even then I thought his friend(s) knew more than they were leading on. Heart and prayers goes out to Shaffer family.
July 22, 2008 at 10:37 pm
I would like to see that. Maybe they I can catch it on On Demand. Thanks for the info.
July 23, 2008 at 10:46 pm
My friend vanished in 2001 Scott Javins in Terre Haute IN. He was last seen leaving a party, for five years him and his Honda Civic Si were missing. Just last October they recovered him and his vehicle in the river in Terre Haute. They ruled that his death was an accident and that he had been drinking and passed out, his car rolled into the river. However, no one is convinced that is what happened. After reading this article the car Honda Civic kept poping up. I was concerned about that.
July 23, 2008 at 11:21 pm
That is strange Erica. Here is the AMW Article on your friend:
http://www.amw.com/missing_persons/recovered.cfm?id=43655
So sorry for your loss. It states it was not recovered until 5 years later though so their ruling was because they had no evidence otherwise. Not saying it wasnt an accident either, but after that time period, and being submerged, it would surely be hard to tell IF there was any foul play.
July 23, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Here is a link to the thread about Scott Javins on the Websleuth community site:
http://www.amw.com/missing_persons/recovered.cfm?id=43655
looks like at first they considered this a homicide. I also wonder why the skull and mandible was the only remains recovered. Confusing case.
July 24, 2008 at 12:34 am
Thank you for writing this post about Brian. I know his father and all of Brian’s family and friends appreciate it. My heart goes out to Randy, Brian’s dad, our good friend, and all the families missing loved ones out there. I pray the truth will surface so that they may have peace…
July 24, 2008 at 10:34 pm
i saw that episode of psychic kids, upon seeing brian shaffer’s photo, the word “cabo” came to mind. any links to this, or any that has cab, cabo, or cabot? my prayers goes to all of the families & friends of these missing men. hope that they all come home safe….the truth comes out sooner or later and you’ll have the peace of mind you seek. keep your Faith in God! take care….
July 26, 2008 at 1:27 am
Hi i live in Ohio about 15 minutes from the colombus area I saw brians story on THS springbreak at first and ever since i have seen his story i have been thinking alot for his family and girlfriend and my heart goes out to you all i don’t know what i would ever do in this situation I added The Find Brian Shaffer myspace to my friends and i will be looking for updates in this case i hope he is found..my prayers go out to you!
July 26, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I was at KU (Kansas) back in 1992 and we also had another young man go missing. His name was Alexis Dillard. He disappeared while walking away from Johnny’s Tavern in Lawrence on night. The speculation is that he may have tried to swim the local river and they did find footprints near the banks, but it isn’t clear if they lead into the river or turn away from it. I don’t know if the information that was released at the time was sketchy because police didn’t know or if they were holding onto it in hopes of further investigation. But that was also about 16 years ago.
July 26, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I also just wanted to add… what struck me about Brian Shaffer’s case is that he looks very much like how I remember Alexis Dillard looked… short dark hair, dark eyes, similar form. Has there been any similarities in the drowning victims or thsoe missing?
July 26, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Have the police questioned his friend Clint Florence?
July 29, 2008 at 12:40 am
Diana:
Clint was questioned at length. I am not sure of the details of it but his phone records (calling Brian when the bar closed) and the video from the bar pretty much went along with what he stated happened.
August 2, 2008 at 8:58 am
i also saw the show and was wondering about that locked door—up at ugly tuna bar, they say there was construction going on–is it possible that maybe the door was unlocked that night and Brian maybe opened it thinking it was an exit door..and maybe fell…did they even check that door…beings that the camera didnt show him leaving the bar
August 2, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Why dont they look at all the credit cards used that night and question everyone in the bar that night?
August 3, 2008 at 12:23 am
Was this construction area somehow connected to the inside of the Ugly Tuna and also is there a way to enter this construction area, if NOT inside from the outside without being seen on the internal camera? If the latter, then isnt it feasible that the bar was closing, Brian gets tossed out after talking with band and not finding friends and has to go to the bathroom. If it was me, this would be a likely spot I would use if I needed to make a ‘pit stop’ before heading home. Also, has anyone interviewed the 2 police officers / security guards in the 2nd frame. Just seems strange that nobody would have seen anything and I would be curious what they said and saw.
August 3, 2008 at 2:36 am
Gene:
Funny you should say that. Someone emailed me the other day regarding the security officer. This person said that the security guards should be looked at.
August 3, 2008 at 4:34 am
I reviewed the video in the documentary on this case. The door to the construction were right next to the Ugly Tuna door, and completely out of view of the cameras.
I would assume police and family looked through the construction site for sewer grating / openings.
Not sure I put too much stock in the psychics but one of them talked about being watched. One of the security guards does appear to be ‘watching’ the overall scene - the one further back with the casual lean.
Additionally - as Brian comes up the escalator someone is gesturing a they are leaving as if to say “What do you want?” and goes back into the bar area. Wondering if this is the same girl that is seen late that night talking to Brian. Not that it means much but it just struck me as a little odd if that is the same girl. If not, its meaningless.
One final thought… Did anyone watch the tapes just to see, if by some weird circumstance, that Brian might have left the establishment through the front wearing another shirt or a hooded sweathirt or something? I am sure police looked for that but there is an outside possibility. I am sure the band would remember but I was thinking if they gave him a t-shirt or sweathirt or something… or something weird happened and he left in different clothes… I will assume this was all thought about already. I will keep thinking about this one and studying it… You can get a good idea of the street layout from Google Maps of the area. It’s a pretty busy place. Would love for someone to let me know all of that has already been covered.
August 3, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I found an article that said that Brian’s cell phone pinged a tower near Scioto Darby Creek Road as the last ‘call’ was made. I think by call they mean the last ping of an inbound call. If this is true and assuming this type of cell phone can’t arbitrarily ‘roam’ far from the location of the person, it stands to reason that the answers are somewhere near that area. If you study a google map of that area there appears to be some construction going on to the south of that road and it said authorities had been looking there. If asked I will post the link to where I found that article (in a compilation - this one was from 2007 I think).
Again, if all is true I would think they checked that small water tributary that would be ‘on route’ from N. High Street (Ugly Tuna) to Scioto Darby Creek Road known as the Scioto River. There appears to be a bridge that goes over it. Again, I assume that the authorities did a lot of investigating based on that (I hope they did).
If the cell phone ping is true this would seem a lot like ‘foul play’ and there needs to be more press on it. Has “Unsolved Mysteries” done a segment on this? That how gets a TON of viewership and would likely help.
Has anyone else read about this last known cell tower ping?
August 3, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Gene: Kudos to you. You have done lots of research on this case. Do you have a link regarding the cell phone ping? I dont recall reading that anywhere.
Also, how far would the tower near Scioto Dark Creek Road in relation to the Ugly Tuna? Does it mention what time the ping was or can they even trace that much detail?
I am pretty sure Unsolved Mysteries is no longer in production. Only re-runs. I would like to see his case on America’s Most Wanted though. I could be incorrect but I dont think they did anything on this case.
August 3, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Here is the link I found. While I have not researched the source of this article it appeared cut and pasted from a local source.
http://www.starlightinnerprizes.com/BrianShaffer.htm
The article under data Saturday, Aug 25, 2007 says some of the following:
{ Teams concentrated on a field near Scioto Darby Creek Road. According to officials, Shaffer’s cell phone was last used in the area.
“There’s a report that the last (cell phone call) did ping off a tower in this area, so we want to take it serious and eliminate areas,” Miller said. }
Great questions on time of ping… I would love to review the police case files on this just to see. I would also love to review ALL of the surveillance cameras from the entire night.
When I reviewed the location of the parking garage to where I *think* that non-camera exit from the construction was it kind of would make sense if Brian thought he might catch his friends in the garage before they drove away (where they had parked) or to use it as a ‘rest stop’. It would not seem far out of the realm of common possibility.
Still - the whole thing is unusual. Again, if the cell tower did ping in that location and it not possible for that to happen without being close than the theories on the exit are moot anyway. The question you bring up is what time was that ping… it’s not clear.
I will keep researching on the internet since I am kind of obsesed now with the “why” of this mystery.
Thanks for the kind words. I will post whatever else I find or questions I come up with.
August 7, 2008 at 4:06 am
I’ve been following this case for almost a year now… As far as the cell phone is concerned, his ex-gf Alexis used to call his cell phone every night before bed for the first year or so and every time she called it, it would go to voice mail. However, several months after he went missing (3-6 months), she made her usual nightly call and it rang. She panicked and didn’t know what to say or do, but no one answered the phone and it eventually went to voice mail. She then called the police and when they investigated, they claimed it was the “ping” you mentioned. I’m not sure of the exact time or the date but I know it occurred long after he went missing.
As for the two friends with which he went out that night (it was a young man and young woman), they ewre both questioned but both REFUSED to go on the polygraph. I find this extraodrinarily odd.
August 7, 2008 at 4:08 am
Just to reiterate, the police stated that the phone ringing was just a glitch in the system…
August 10, 2008 at 8:16 pm
My heart goes out to the father of Brian. I saw the episode about him on Psychic Kids and the help that was offered to his family.
How does somebody go into a bar and then never leave?? How does nobody notice? Have all parties in the above videos been identified? I think the video is slightly difficult to see, but is that the same guy in the dark shirt and jeans that is going down the escalator in the “Brian returning to the Ugly Tuna” and in the “Brian - last images of him” videos talking to the man in the suit? It may just be the way the above pictures display.
Above all, my prayers go out to his family and I hope they find closure.
August 11, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Eb:
In both images, Brian is circled.
August 12, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Not that it means much, but as I continued to research this a more well-known psychic named Gale St. John suggested that Brian was drugged with GHB… (or so it seemed on a psychic ‘dream site’ that I found) at least that’s what I was interpreting from a site out there that apparently works with her and knows her.
I just wonder if drugs or something of that kind were involved and Clint Florence or Meredith Gale were providing drugs of some kind to Brian (I would assume Brian knew - not suggesting he is a druggie but let’s assume for the moment he took them) and he had a bad reaction, was getting sick, couldn’t walk? Perhaps someone ‘helped’ him on the ground floor out the service entrance? It is obvious he would have HAD to have used that exit.
So Clint and Meredith perhaps wont do the poly because they are worried about civil liability? If Clint was a dealer perhaps it’s also going to be criminal liability? That seems quite plausible but still doesn’t explain what happened to Brian. According to the research I read Clint and Meredith are seen exiting the main exit on video which likely rules them out and another reason the police probably dont have them as suspects.
The whole thing is one of the crazier stories only because of the fact that he is never seen leaving the second time. That said, there must be some suspicious people the police could see on either camera from that night. I would like to see that video and just count 1 man in, 1 man out and see what comes up. I imagine the police have already done that.