True Crime Garage – Brandon Swanson /// Missing /// Part 3

Released: February 5, 2026 | Hosts: Nic & The Captain

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the persistent mystery of Brandon Swanson’s disappearance, focusing on logical theories, the complexities of the search efforts, and lingering questions that keep this case alive in the true crime community. Hosts Nic and the Captain methodically dissect why Brandon may have vanished without a trace, the environmental and investigative challenges in the case, and the impact on the Swanson family. Both hosts favor a grounded, evidence-based approach while weaving in their signature banter and thoughtful speculation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dismissing Implausible Theories (03:26–04:28)

• The hosts address and largely dismiss the more outlandish theories, such as alien abduction, time warps, and sasquatch, referencing prior coverage from "Thinking Sideways" and other platforms.
• Intentional Disappearance Ruled Out:
  Both hosts agree there's no indication Brandon left intentionally; his frantic calls for help are inconsistent with someone planning to vanish.
  • Quote:
    “It would make zero sense to call mom and dad and decide to walk away that same night.” – Nic (04:23)

2. Plausible Scenario: Accidental Death & Missing Remains (04:36–17:34)

• Disorientation and Location Error:
  Brandon was deeply confused about his location, walking 20 miles from where he thought he was. He abandoned his car after getting stuck and began moving across fields.
• Possible Accident after Call Drop:
  • The infamous final phone call with his father ends with, “oh, shit,” before the call disconnects (debated if it was battery failure, loss of service, or an accident).
  • Physical Challenges:
    It was very dark, Brandon was blind in one eye, and his route took him across unfamiliar, difficult terrain near running water.
• Debunking Sinkhole and Well Theories:
  Jeff Hasse, the search manager, established that:
  • Sinkholes are geologically impossible in the area.
  • Old wells are capped or replaced, per Minnesota law.
  • The farmland is valuable and well maintained; property owners checked their land.
  • Quote: “Basically, he's saying he couldn't have fallen into a sinkhole because they're not there.” – Nic (07:47)
• Focus on Water Hazards:
  The nearby Yellow Medicine River is a likely risk due to tracked scent dogs, but no remains or belongings have been found.
• Challenges of Search:
  • High grass, bogs, thick crops, and vast farmland have prevented access to 40% of prioritized search areas.
  • Scent from remains is affected by constant winds and land obstacles; dogs are thrown off, and bodies may be scattered by predators or farm machinery.
  • Quote: “Even calculating that Brandon's body was likely fully disarticulated by mid July of 2008.” – Nic (15:10)

3. Search Difficulties & Environmental Obstacles (13:51–17:34)

• Only about 60% of the prioritized area has been searched over the years due to property access and environmental constraints.
  • Searching a 160-acre field requires a team to walk 10+ miles in challenging conditions.

4. Evaluating the Most Likely Theories (20:54–24:06)

• Captain’s View:
  Leans toward Brandon accidentally entering the Yellow Medicine River in his disoriented state, possibly due to tiredness, frustration, mild intoxication, and poor visibility.
  • “I think his conversation with his father on the phone points to being in that area, to be around that river.” – Captain (22:28)
• Both hosts acknowledge it’s possible (though a “leap”) that he could be elsewhere in that unsearched 40% of land.

5. The 'VICAP' and Foul Play Debate (24:06–26:52)

• VICAP Listing Explained:
  Brandon’s case is in the ViCAP database, but Nic emphasizes this doesn't necessarily indicate evidence of foul play; it may simply result from a new agency taking over and standard procedure.
  • “It’s my thought the reason Brandon is on ViCAP is not because there is evidence of foul play or that he was met with violence.” – Nic (24:50)

6. Geographic and Cognitive Disorientation (26:52–30:12)

• Grid Road Confusion:
  Nic describes the area’s confusing street grid: roads are numbered and flip their east-west/north-south conventions north and south of Route 68, making it very easy for anyone, even with some knowledge, to become lost.
  • Quote: “You would only have to take one wrong turn to end up going the wrong way... It's a very tricky area.” – Nic (28:57)
• They dispel assumptions that Brandon would have known the area well.

7. The 'Oh, Shit' Moment & Technological Limitations (30:12–34:33)

• The hosts ponder what might have caused Brandon’s sudden exclamation (“oh, shit”) that ends the call—accident, slip, animal, sudden phone battery death, or service drop.
• Brandon’s phone (from 2008) would have had limited battery life; he’d been using it for hours and could have just lost power at a critical time.
  • “He could have been talking and talking... looked at the screen and went, ‘oh, shit.’” – Guest/Contributor (33:13)

8. Family Perspective & The Lingering Mystery (35:26–42:18)

• Both hosts share heartbreaking quotes from Brandon’s family, who fear they’ll never know what happened.
  • Quote: “...I'm kind of come to the conclusion that we won't find Brandon in my lifetime.” – Brandon's mother (35:26)
• The layers of tragedy are compounded by the proximity and efforts of Brandon’s parents on the night he vanished, and their enduring advocacy.

9. Brandon’s Law & Lessons (40:20–42:18)

• Minnesota’s Brandon’s Law, enacted in 2009 due to the Swanson family’s efforts, mandates immediate searches for missing adults under 21—and for older adults under suspicious circumstances.
• The Swansons have kept hope alive, literally “keeping the porch light on” for Brandon for over a decade.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It would make zero sense to call mom and dad and decide to walk away that same night.” – Nic (04:23)
• “You know, people don’t just vanish into thin air. But it sure seems like he did.” – Swanson family quote via Nic (42:21)
• “You would only have to take one wrong turn to end up going the wrong way... It's a very tricky area.” – Nic (28:57)
• “This is just one of those tragic cases... I think everything the people closest to this case are saying is probably exactly what happened.” – Guest/Contributor (34:44)
• “That detail to me [both car doors open] seems like something that's going to keep this mystery around for a while.” – Captain (39:59)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:26] Dismissing Walkaway / Alien Abduction Theories
• [04:36] Outlining Accident Hypotheses (disorientation, terrain, darkness)
• [06:32] Debunking Sinkhole/Well Theories; Search Manager’s Input
• [08:46] Environmental Obstacles & Scent Dog Limitations
• [15:10] Speed of Decomposition & Search Challenges
• [20:54] Captain’s Theory (River Accident) & Evidence
• [24:06] ViCAP Registration; Rumors of Foul Play
• [26:52] Geographic Confusion Explained
• [30:12] The “oh, shit” Call Analysed
• [35:26] Family’s Heartbreaking Acceptance
• [40:20] Brandon’s Law and Family Advocacy

Tone and Language

Nic and the Captain keep their tone conversational, empathetic, and at times lightly humorous (“only a psychotic would listen at 2x speed”). The discussions honor the seriousness of the case while making it approachable for listeners through relatable reasoning, analogies, and a genuine sense of care for the family and the search for answers.

Conclusion

The hosts conclude that the simplest, most evidence-based explanation is most likely: Brandon became disoriented, suffered an accident (possibly involving the river or exposure), and his remains have not been located due to environmental and logistical challenges. The unresolved detail of his open car doors continues to stoke speculation. The Swanson family’s efforts led to important legislative changes, but hope for closure remains elusive.

Further Reading

• Chase Darkness with Me by Billy Jensen (Recommended by hosts, 42:18)

If you, or anyone you know, have information on Brandon Swanson’s case, contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension or the Swanson family tip line.