Nearly 20 years after the disappearance of an Ohio State medical student captured national attention, a new tip could potentially bring fresh movement to one of Central Ohio’s most enduring mysteries.
Brian Shaffer vanished in April 2006 after a night out near the Ohio State University campus. The 27-year-old was last seen at the now-closed Ugly Tuna Saloona in the South Campus Gateway complex. Despite extensive searches, interviews, and national media attention, Shaffer has never been found.
Now, the Columbus-based podcast True Crime Garage says it may have received a tip that stands out from the thousands that have surfaced over the years.
In a social media post shared this week, podcast host Nic Edwards—who goes by “The Captain” alongside co-host Patrick Edwards—said the team has spent years reviewing rumors, tips, and theories surrounding Shaffer’s disappearance.
But a message received after the show released a recent six-part deep dive on the case caught their attention.
According to the post, the tip included detailed timeline references, specific names, and information that reportedly aligns with facts the hosts say they have never publicly shared.
“Most messages were what you would expect,” the post reads. “One was not.”
The hosts say they spent the night reviewing archived material and cross-checking the information against what they already know about the case.
“We know what a weak tip looks like,” the post continued. “This one has not collapsed under scrutiny.”
At this point, however, no details from the tip have been publicly confirmed, and the hosts say they are carefully verifying the information before sharing anything further.
Shaffer’s disappearance remains one of the most puzzling missing persons cases in Ohio history.
On the night of March 31, 2006, Shaffer went out with friends near campus before entering the Ugly Tuna Saloona shortly before closing time. Security footage later showed him entering the bar—but investigators never found video showing him leaving.
Despite years of investigation, searches, and public appeals, no definitive evidence has emerged explaining what happened.
The case has continued to draw attention from investigators, journalists, and the true crime community. The podcast also works with The Porchlight Project, a nonprofit that funds new DNA testing and genetic genealogy for Ohio cold cases.
For now, the potential lead remains just that—a tip still being examined.
But for a case that has gone nearly two decades without answers, even the possibility of new information has people watching closely.
If you’d like to check out the 6-part series, you can head over to truecrimegarage.com.
