True Crime Podcasters Tease Potential Update on Brian Shaffer Disappearance

Columbus-based True Crime Garage says they received a 'precise' tip about the 2006 case that has haunted Central Ohio for 20 years.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:37pm

True Crime Garage, a popular true crime podcast based in Columbus, Ohio, has teased a potential update on the disappearance of Brian Shaffer, a 27-year-old Ohio State medical student who went missing in 2006. The podcast's co-hosts say they received a 'precise' tip about the case that has aligned with information they had previously withheld from the public. The podcast team is now carefully verifying the new information before sharing more details.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Brian Shaffer has remained one of Central Ohio's most perplexing cold cases for two decades. Any potential new information or developments could finally provide answers and closure for Shaffer's family and the broader community. True Crime Garage's large following also means a potential update could bring significant public attention to the case.

The details

In April 2006, Brian Shaffer, a 27-year-old Ohio State medical student, disappeared after a night out at campus-area bars in Columbus. His disappearance has remained an unsolved mystery for nearly 20 years. True Crime Garage, a popular true crime podcast based in Columbus, has covered the Shaffer case extensively, including releasing a six-part deep dive series on it earlier this year. The podcast's co-hosts say they recently received a 'precise' tip about the case, including timeline references and specific details that aligned with information they had deliberately held back from previous coverage.

  • Brian Shaffer disappeared in April 2006.
  • The 20th anniversary of Shaffer's disappearance is approaching in 2026.
  • True Crime Garage released a six-part series on the Shaffer case earlier this year.

The players

Brian Shaffer

A 27-year-old Ohio State medical student who disappeared in 2006 after a night out at campus-area bars in Columbus, Ohio.

True Crime Garage

A popular true crime podcast based in Columbus, Ohio, that has covered the Brian Shaffer disappearance case extensively, including releasing a six-part deep dive series on it earlier this year.

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What’s next

The True Crime Garage team says they are carefully verifying the new information they received before sharing more details with the public.

The takeaway

The potential new tip about the Brian Shaffer disappearance case, if verified, could finally provide long-awaited answers and closure for Shaffer's family and the broader Columbus community that has grappled with this unsolved mystery for two decades.