The Disappearance of Brian Shaffer

True Crime Monkey Podcast

It was Friday April 1, 2006, the last day of classes before Spring Break for students at the Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. 27 year old Brian Shaffer, a second year medical school student, had plans of going out for a few drinks with is friend William “Clint” Florence to kick off the weekend, before taking off for Miami Fl with his girlfriend Alexis Waggoner. They had planned a spring break vacation trip given to Brian by his mother, Renee Shaffer. Some close to the couple thought that Brian might even propose to Alexis while in Miami. The two were to board their flight that Monday morning, but Brian would never make it to the airport for his flight.

Brian Shaffer was born on February 25, 1979 to Renee and Randy Shaffer. Brian also has a younger brother named Derek. Brian grew up in Pickerington, OH a superb just out side Columbus, OH. He graduated High School in 1997, and then enrolled at Ohio State University. Brian was on the “6 year plan” and in 2003 earned is bachelors degree in Microbiology. Brian then enrolled in the OSU College of Medicine in 2004. He was in his second year of medical school at the time of his disappearance. While in medical school, Brian met his future girlfriend, Alexis Waggoner from Toledo, OH. Brian was always attracted to the “beach life”. He even once stated that “the medical thing is a temporary gig” and that his real passion was to start his own back playing music in the style and Jimmy Buffet. Could Brian have been foreshadowing his own future ?

Brian was very close to his parents, especially his mother, Renee. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with cancer and would pass away in 2006, just three weeks before Brian would disappear. The loss of his mother was especially tough for Brian, although those around him said he handled it well. Although, Brian disappeared in 2006, the Shaffer family would suffer another deviation loss in 2008. Brians father Randy would be killed by a falling tree branch just outside his home, while he was out surveying damage caused by strong winds in the area from the remnants of Hurricane Ike which had made their way all the way up to the Ohio Valley. This had left only Derek, Brian’s younger brother to grieve alone, as he has lost his mother, his brother, and his father in a span of only two years.