20 Years After Disappearance, Ohio Student Brian Shaffer Still Missing

Shaffer vanished from a campus bar in 2006, leaving behind unanswered questions and a family still searching for answers.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:05am

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It's been 20 years since Brian Shaffer, a 27-year-old medical student at Ohio State University, disappeared from a campus bar in Columbus, Ohio. Security cameras captured Shaffer entering the Ugly Tuna Saloona on April 1, 2006, but he was never seen leaving, and his whereabouts since then remain a mystery. The investigation into Shaffer's disappearance is still ongoing, with police following up on tips, but no concrete answers have emerged over the past two decades.

Why it matters

Shaffer's disappearance has captivated Ohio and the nation, as the lack of evidence and unanswered questions have left his family and the community searching for closure. The case highlights the challenges law enforcement can face in solving missing persons cases, especially when there is little physical evidence to go on.

The details

On March 31, 2006, Shaffer was out celebrating the end of classes with his friend Clint Florence before the two ended up at the Ugly Tuna Saloona bar near the Ohio State campus. Security cameras showed Shaffer talking to two women near the escalators before walking back inside the bar around 1:50 a.m. on April 1. When the bar closed, Florence told police he couldn't find Shaffer and assumed he had already left. Shaffer's girlfriend reported him missing two days later when he failed to show up for a planned trip to Miami.

  • On March 31, 2006, Shaffer was out celebrating the end of classes at Ohio State.
  • Around 1:50 a.m. on April 1, 2006, security cameras showed Shaffer talking to two women near the escalators before walking back inside the Ugly Tuna Saloona bar.
  • When the bar closed, Shaffer's friend Clint Florence told police he couldn't find Shaffer and assumed he had already left.
  • Shaffer's girlfriend reported him missing on April 3, 2006, when he failed to show up for a planned trip to Miami.

The players

Brian Shaffer

A 27-year-old medical student at Ohio State University who disappeared from a campus bar in 2006.

Clint Florence

Shaffer's friend who was with him at the Ugly Tuna Saloona bar on the night of his disappearance.

Derek Shaffer

Brian Shaffer's brother, who is the only living family member remaining after their parents passed away.

John Hurst Jr.

A retired Columbus police sergeant who was assigned to the case when Shaffer first went missing.

Columbus Police Department

The law enforcement agency that has been investigating Shaffer's disappearance for the past 20 years.

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What they’re saying

“Every day we think about Brian and can't believe it's been 20 years. We still continue to hope and pray to have answers some day and wish that anyone who knows anything would come forward.”

— Derek Shaffer

“Investigators are following up on all tips received, which includes conducting interviews.”

— Columbus Police Department

“After several years without answers, Shaffer's disappearance was particularly difficult to investigate because of the lack of evidence. Police should probably start treating the missing persons case as an unsolved homicide.”

— John Hurst Jr., Retired Columbus Police Sergeant

What’s next

The Columbus Police Department said the investigation into Shaffer's disappearance remains active and ongoing, with investigators continuing to follow up on any new tips or leads that come in.

The takeaway

The disappearance of Brian Shaffer has left his family and the community searching for answers for the past 20 years. Despite the ongoing investigation, the lack of evidence has made this case particularly challenging, highlighting the difficulties law enforcement can face in solving missing persons cases. Shaffer's story serves as a sobering reminder of the pain and uncertainty that can linger when a loved one vanishes without a trace.