"And it's literally like he vanished into thin air somewhere inside that bar." — Brett
"He described the investigation as 'looking for a deceased person and for someone who's still amongst the living at the same time.'" — Ashley Flowers
"I put his things in the back of my closet and I just needed that chapter of my life to be over. There were a lot of tears and it was sad, but it was time to move forward." — Alexis (as quoted in The Columbus Dispatch)
This episode of Crime Junkie delves into the baffling disappearance of Brian Schaefer, a promising medical student at Ohio State University, who vanished on April 1st, 2006. Schaefer was last seen entering a Columbus bar called Ugly Tuna Saluna, and despite extensive surveillance footage from the bar and surrounding areas, he was never seen leaving. His girlfriend, Alexis, who was to leave for a planned spring break trip with him that morning, had been unable to contact him for days, leading to the eventual discovery of his disappearance. The investigation uncovered that Brian was dealing with significant grief following the recent death of his mother, who had been his inspiration for pursuing medicine. This personal turmoil led to speculation about whether he voluntarily absconded, though his family and friends largely dismissed this theory due to his close relationships and expressed excitement for the future, including a planned proposal to Alexis.
The investigation faced numerous challenges, including the perplexing lack of surveillance footage showing Brian exiting the bar, despite the area being heavily monitored by CCTV. Even alternative exits and the surrounding streets yielded no trace of him. Theories ranged from him becoming a victim of a crime, potentially related to his intoxication, to a more elaborate plan to disappear. The role of his friend and former roommate, Clint, was scrutinized due to his refusal to take a polygraph test and alleged prior arguments with Brian, though no direct evidence linked him to the disappearance. The case also touched upon broader theories like the "smiley face killer," which the FBI has not substantiated.
Despite relentless efforts by Brian's devastated family, including his father Randy, who tragically died in a subsequent accident, and his brother Derek, along with Alexis, the case remained unsolved. A cryptic online comment seemingly from Brian posted on his father's obituary, claiming to be in the U.S. Virgin Islands, was later traced to a public computer in Ohio and deemed a hoax. Years later, Alexis had completed medical school and moved on with her life, while Brian's brother Derek continues to grapple with the unresolved loss. The Ugly Tuna Saluna eventually closed its doors in 2018, taking any potential physical clues with it.