Episode Summary: The Disappearance of Ciera Breland — A Conversation with Advocate Blaire Duncan

Podcast: Murder Sheet
Release Date: February 24, 2026
Hosts: Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee
Guest: Blaire Duncan

Main Theme

This episode explores the chilling disappearance of attorney and mother Ciera Breland, who went missing in February 2022. Through an in-depth interview with advocate Blaire Duncan—herself a survivor and now a supporter of women in abusive relationships—the hosts dissect the circumstances surrounding Ciera’s vanishing, reveal insights into the patterns of narcissistic abuse, and highlight the obstacles faced in seeking justice for victims of domestic violence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Understanding Narcissistic Abuse

• Blaire’s Personal Experience

  • Blaire details her survival of narcissistic abuse, which spurred her advocacy for women like Ciera.
  • Quote (05:37): “I am a person who has experienced narcissistic abuse in a relationship. And I healed from it... and decided that I could use these powers for good.” — Blaire Duncan

• Defining Narcissism vs. Narcissistic Traits

  • Narcissistic traits exist on a spectrum; full-blown narcissists are rare and display a persistent, consistent pattern of manipulation and lack of empathy.
  • Social media and dating apps have amplified narcissistic tendencies culturally.
  • Quote (08:27): “Narcissists don’t seek therapy. Their victims do.” — Blaire Duncan

• Love Bombing and Manipulation Techniques (10:53)

  • Love bombing is described as intense, over-the-top attention designed to create emotional dependency.
  • Victims may be compared to “rats in a cage,” conditioned to expect “sugar” (affection) but sometimes met with “face punches” (abuse/disappointment), keeping them off-balance and hooked.
  • Quote (11:05): "You kind of become like the rat in the cage... victims of narcissistic abuse. I hate to compare people to rats, but... every time you go and press a button, a tablet of sugar pops out. ...But then you push the button and you get punched in the face..." — Blaire Duncan

• Red Flags & Victim Vulnerability (12:51, 14:54)

  • Early “pink flags” are really red; there are no benign warning signs.
  • Those who grew up with unmet emotional needs or in abusive households may be especially vulnerable to narcissists.
  • Quote (14:54): “People who tend to fall far on the empathy side of that scale tend to be really victimized by people who fall far on the narcissistic side.” — Blaire Duncan

Ciera Breland’s Life and Personality

• Background (21:48)

  • Ciera was a bright, fiery, and ambitious attorney from Georgia, recognized as an up-and-coming legal professional.
  • She was confident and outspoken, making her susceptibility to manipulation all the more confounding to those who knew her.

• Meeting Xavier Breland, Jr. (24:01, 26:24)

  • Xavier had a criminal record and a questionable personal history; he presented himself as more accomplished and stable than he truly was.
  • Ciera was quickly drawn into his web through attention and manipulation, especially leveraging her empathy and desire to help.
  • Blaire highlights how Xavier isolated Ciera and maneuvered her into acting against her own interests (and the law).

The Downward Spiral

• Losses and Relocation (29:38)
  • After being implicated in breaking into Xavier’s ex’s apartment, Ciera lost her job and her apartment.
  • They relocated to Carmel, Indiana—an affluent, low-crime area—where Xavier continued to isolate her from friends and family.

The Disappearance

• Lead-Up to Disappearance (32:14 - 37:10)

  • Ciera was providing legal representation for Xavier, including during a trip to Georgia for a court date involving custody battles with his ex.
  • Ciera had told her family she didn’t intend to return to Indiana and had begun preparing to move back home permanently.

• Day of Disappearance: February 24, 2022

  • Timeline (37:10 - 41:04):

    • Ciera is last seen on a ring camera at her mother-in-law’s house in Johns Creek, Georgia at 7:17 PM.
    • After this, she vanishes. Cameras and toll road sightings show Xavier returning to Indiana with their baby and dog, but no sign of Ciera.

  • Quote (40:23):
    “[Ciera] is seen in a ring camera video... at 7:17pm on the 24th. And then she’s never seen again.” — Blaire Duncan

  • Xavier reports Ciera missing only after returning to Indiana, claiming she left their house on foot in the middle of a frigid winter’s night. There’s no evidence to support this story (43:47).

• Law Enforcement and Investigation

  • Investigations confirm that Ciera was never seen in Indiana after the Georgia trip.
  • Authorities quickly shift the investigation back to Georgia; Xavier and his family do not cooperate with police.

Aftermath: Legal Cases and Advocacy

• Xavier’s Charges (44:18 - 45:13)

  • Shortly after the disappearance, Xavier is arrested for illegal firearm possession, discovered after a neighbor hears a gunshot from his garage.
  • Investigation notes that Ciera had purchased guns (previously uncharacteristic for her), likely for Xavier.

• Advocacy and Involvement (46:31 - 51:36)

  • Blaire describes how she became involved after realizing Xavier matched a man she'd seen on dating apps, and how she connected with Ciera’s family and ex’s network to keep awareness alive.
  • She took on advocacy roles, managing social media campaigns and personally participating in court processes.

• Harassment and Threats (51:59 - 56:51)

  • Blaire shares being sued by Xavier’s mother (a frivolous case) and encountering threats and intimidation in court, including a direct threat from Xavier caught on surveillance.
  • She pressed intimidation charges:
    Quote (55:12): “He said, ‘You better hope you see me before I see you.’ ... And he was right behind me, looking over my shoulder, and he said, ‘Cute kid.’ That lit me up.”

• Testifying in Court (57:07 - 59:04)

  • Blaire testifies regarding the harassment, as do expert witnesses. Xavier is convicted on firearms and intimidation charges.

Ciera’s Fate & Continuing Questions

• Presumption of Death (59:40)

  • All involved, including her family and law enforcement, believe Ciera is no longer alive, given her total disappearance and devotion to her son.
  • Quote (59:40): “We are no longer looking for a living person. We haven’t been looking for a living person, unfortunately, for a really long time.” — Blaire Duncan

• What Happened to Ciera’s Body? (60:03 - 62:45)

  • Several theories exist: the Chattahoochee River was searched based on cell phone pings, but nothing was found.
  • Attention centers on a missing utility bag large enough to hold her body, suggesting the possibility of disposal in landfill/trash.
  • The time gap and lack of camera footage make it impossible to pinpoint where Xavier might have disposed of her remains.

• Impact on Family and Community (63:15)

  • The tragedy devastated Ciera's family—her mother died soon after, likely of a broken heart; her father and extended family continue to struggle.
  • Ciera’s memory is preserved and advocated for by Blaire and others.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “There are no pink flags. The flag is red.” — Blaire Duncan (12:51)
• “We practice a lot less of our empathic traits when we are behind screens and not face to face to people.” — Blaire Duncan (08:33)
• “You don’t remember who you are.” — Blaire Duncan (36:04, on the effects of sustained abuse and gaslighting)
• “Her mom essentially died of a broken heart.” — Blaire Duncan (63:15)
• “Leaving an abuser, you need to leave. The first time, you can’t go back... or else you could be a Ciera.” — Blaire Duncan (65:23)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [07:15] Love Bombing and Dependency Explained
• [12:51] Red Flags & Vulnerability of Victims
• [21:48] Ciera’s Life & Personality
• [29:38] Career Implosion & Moving to Indiana
• [37:10] Timeline and Details of Disappearance
• [44:18] The Gun Charge Incident
• [46:31] Blaire’s Entry Into the Case & Advocacy
• [51:59] Harassment and Threats from Xavier’s Family
• [59:40] Presumption of Ciera’s Death
• [60:03] Theories on Body Disposal
• [63:15] Impact on Ciera’s Family

Final Insights and Calls to Action

• The episode concludes with a stark message: when leaving a toxic, abusive relationship, recognize the danger of “going back.” The time of greatest risk is often when the abuser feels control slipping away.
• Blaire, the hosts, and Ciera’s family urge persistence in both public awareness and legal pursuit for justice.
• If listeners have any information on Ciera’s case, they are encouraged to contact the Johns Creek Police tip line at 678-474-1610. A $10,000 FBI reward remains active.

Tone and Style

The conversation is empathetic yet incisive, blending emotional storytelling with careful, evidence-driven analysis. The language is direct, compassionate, and at times painfully candid about the realities of domestic abuse, the failings in justice, and the human toll behind statistics.

For listeners new to the case, this episode provides a harrowing but essential look at the personal, legal, and systemic challenges surrounding domestic violence and missing persons. It’s both a tribute to Ciera’s legacy and a cautionary tale—and serves as a call to action to listen, learn, and advocate.