Detective Andre Edwards (Columbus PD)

FBI ViCAP 

Central Ohio Crime Stoppers

Brian Shaffer was last seen between 1:30 am and 2:00 am on April 1, 2006, at a bar called the Ugly Tuna Saloona with best friend, Clint Florence, as well as another friend, after finishing up his midterms for the semester. Brian was supposed to be leaving for vacation with his girlfriend in Miami for spring break on April 3, however, Brian never made it to the airport. After the investigation into his disappearance had begun, footage from the Ugly Tuna Saloona was recovered by police, showing Brian on an escalator going to the bar's main entrance at 1:15 am, and again at 1:55 am outside of the bar before moving back towards the entrance to the bar, off-camera. Brian was never seen on camera leaving the bar after that. 

Brian's mother was battling with a rare form of cancer. Brian and his mother were very close, and it was hard for Brian to handle her death. 

Renee Shaffer, Brian's mother passes away

Randy noted that Brian seemed exhausted from the week full of midterms. 

Brian and his father, Randy, go out for dinner together. 

Brian meets Clint at the Ugly Tuna Saloona

Alexis has stated that the conversation was normal, and Brian ended the call saying that he loved her

Brian calls his girlfriend, Alexis Waggoner

Clint states that each of them had one shot of hard liquor at each bar. 

Meredith gives Brian and Clint a ride back to the Ugly Tuna Saloona and joined them for their final round of drinks. 

After midnight, the pair meet Meredith Reed, a friend of Clint. 

Brian, Clint, and Meredith are seen on CCTV arriving at the Ugly Tuna Saloona

Brian is seen on security footage outside of the bar talking to two unknown women before saying goodbye. After this, Brian seems to move as if he was going back into the bar on an escalator.

Brian is seen for the last time on CCTV. 

The three agree that they were ready to leave, and Brian tells Clint that he was going to go up to the stage area. After this, Brian got separated from the group. They were unable to reach him via phone call. 

Clint and Meredith get separated from Brian

Clint and Meredith exit the bar with the rest of the crowd and wait outside for Brian to exit. After waiting, the two assume that Brian had walked home. 

Clint and Meredith attempt to call Brian later that night and throughout that weekend with no answer 

Brian is not at his apartment, and his car is in the parking lot. Alexis stays at Brian's apartment over the weekend in case he comes home. Nothing had been disturbed in his home. 

Alexis returns from out of town and goes to Brian's apartment

Randy, Brian's father informs his son Derek about Brian's disappearance. Randy asks Derek to visit Brian's apartment to see if Brian is home. 

Alexis calls Randy, Brian's father and informs him that she is unable to reach Brian

Brian and his girlfriend, Alexis, had planned to spend their spring break in Miami, however he never showed up at the airport for their flight. 

Alexis is called by police to visit the apartment and see if anything was missing. Police determined that there was no connection to his disappearance. Nothing was missing from the apartment other than some DVDs

Unknown person breaks into Brian's apartment

Brian's phone was on the Cingular Network. The provider explained his phone may have rung because of two reasons: a glitch, and the possibility his phone might have been powered on at that time. The call originated from Hilliard, OH. 

Alexis calls Brian's cell phone (an everyday occurrence), and his phone rings for the first time since his disappearance. 

Randy Shaffer was struck by a falling tree during a severe storm and was killed 

Randy Shaffer died in a tragic accident. 

The message stated: "Dad, I love you. Love, Brian. - US Virgin Islands". Police checked the IP address of the message and concluded that the message was a hoax. 

A message was left on Randy's obituary webpage from someone claiming to be Brian

The release of this age-progressed image comes nearly 15 years after the disappearance of Brian Shaffer. 

An Age-Progressed Image of Brian is Released

Where Brian was attending medical school.


The last establishment Brian was seen in before he went missing. It closed in 2018.


This is the location of a cell phone ping from Brian's phone.

A street in Columbus, Ohio with lots of bars and nightlife. Where Brian and Clint meet up with Meredith.

News sources state that Brian's apartment was located 6 blocks from the Ugly Tuna Saloona on King Avenue.

A medical student is never heard from again after a night out with friends

Brian Shaffer was 27 when he was last seen around 2 a.m. on April 1, 2006 inside the since-closed Ugly Tuna Saloona in the North High Street area. Shaffer was seen on cameras inside the bar shortly before 2 a.m. talking to two women, but then walked away. He is not seen on camera footage leaving the bar and he hasn't been seen since. 

Brian has short hair, and is clean shaven. Has a dot on his left iris. Tattoo on right bicep associated with the band Pearl Jam. It appears to be an "X" shaped stickman. He was last seen wearing a white long sleeve shirt with light olive green short sleeve polo shirt on top; Dark blue jeans; white Adidas athletic shoes; a yellow, cancer-awareness rubber bracelet

Brian's mother who passed away before his disappearance.

Brian's friend who was with him the night of his disappearance.

Brian's friend who met up with him and Clint during their night out.


One of the two women seen with Brian before his disappearance

Ohio

Listen to Crime Junkie's podcast episode on the disappearance of Brian Shaffer for more information. 

Listen To This Podcast

Were you at or near the Ugly Tuna Saloona in Columbus, Ohio on the night of March 31st, 2006? If you have any information regarding Brian Shaffer please call the Columbus Police Department: 877-645-8477

Brian Shaffer

Sources

Online Resources (2)

Podcasts (5)

Misc (22)

Follow Us