True Crime Garage – Brian Shaffer /// 20 Years Missing /// Tips /// Part 3

Release Date: February 11, 2026
Hosts: Nic and the Captain
Guest: Kelly (investigator, creator of Brian Schaefer Dead or Alive group)

Episode Overview

This episode marks part 3 in True Crime Garage’s deep dive into the disappearance of Brian Shaffer, a notorious Columbus, Ohio case approaching its 20th year. The hosts, joined by investigator and podcast creator Kelly, focus on leads and tips that have surfaced over the years—particularly those Kelly has received through her investigative work and Facebook group. They discuss photos, possible sightings, persons of interest, and explore both the strengths and shortcomings of the investigation as well as persistent rumors in the case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kelly’s Involvement & Early Investigation

• Kelly details her long-term dedication to the case, starting with interviews of key figures connected to the search for Brian (e.g., Kevin Miles, Don Corbett, Sergeant John Hurst).
• Emphasizes the prevalence of rumors versus hard facts online.
• Kelly created the “Brian Schaefer Dead or Alive” Facebook group, which has become a channel for tips.
• Quote:
  "There's a lot of rumors and speculation online about Brian's case, but there's not as many facts when it comes to Brian's case." — Kelly (02:34)

2. The “Homeless Man” Photo Tip

(Begins ~04:25)

• The first tip Kelly received was a photo of a homeless man in San Diego/Tijuana who closely resembled Brian.

• Columbus PD and the FBI facial analyst determined it was not Brian. However, another facial analyst suggested the resemblance was strong—especially the nose and ears.

• The woman who sent the tip actually tracked down the man, who identified himself as “Brian” but got upset when asked about any tattoos (Brian’s distinguishing Pearl Jam tattoo).

• This tip is still considered open.

• Quote:
  "He told her his name was Brian, but he doesn't remember anything else...when she asked him about the tattoo, the man got very upset and began yelling at her." — Kelly (07:54)

• Relevant Timestamp: 04:23–09:05

3. Suspicious Interaction – The Landscaping Co-worker

(Begins ~10:01)

• Kelly recounts a 2006 tip from a woman whose co-worker (with access to heavy equipment) commented “yeah, they're never gonna find him” when Brian’s disappearance was on the news.

• The tip led to a police interview and a search of at least one location but did not result in new evidence.

• Notably, the co-worker was reportedly at a party on Pearl Alley (which runs behind Ugly Tuna Saloon) when Brian disappeared.

• Quote:
  "She went back through her text to see if she could find where this coworker was the night that Brian went missing. And he was actually at a party on Pearl Alley – the alley that runs directly behind the Ugly Tuna Saluna and the Gateway Plaza." — Kelly (12:25)

• Relevant Timestamp: 10:01–15:06

4. Unexplored Friends and the Controversial Photo

(Begins ~16:16)

• Kelly discovered that the last phone number Brian called belonged to Jason Fistic, who claimed he'd only met Brian that evening.

• She found a photo on Jason’s profile featuring four men—three of whom were Brian’s last contacts that night; the fourth may have been Brian.

• When questioned, Jason blocked Kelly, raising suspicions about inconsistencies in his account and why these additional individuals weren’t seriously investigated or subjected to polygraph tests.

• Named Individuals:

  • Jason Fistic
  • Brandon Chatuni
  • Jeremy Douglas
  • Graham Davis

• Quote:
  "Why are we just now hearing that there were four other people out with Brian that night when it's been so widely reported that Brian was out with Clinton Meredith that night when that's simply not the case?" — Kelly (19:02)

• Relevant Timestamp: 16:16–23:37

5. Bar Group Connections – The Night of Brian’s Disappearance

• Hosts discuss how the story of who Brian was with at the Ugly Tuna Saloon keeps expanding, hinting at more possible connections and suggesting the investigation might have overlooked (or ignored) essential witnesses and leads, especially relating to Brian’s last night and phone activity.
• Quote:
  "These other individuals are just never named. So the fact that you're even messaging this guy and going, hey, I know you were there the night Brian Schaefer went missing, that's enough to spook anybody, right?" — Host (24:01)

6. Sightings in Mexico – Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Encounter

(Begins ~31:13)

• Kelly describes a detailed tip from “Tom,” an Ohioan who believed he saw Brian at a restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
• Tom’s sighting included strange behavior from staff and exclusive access to a dining room for the two men resembling Brian. The family, all true crime buffs, tried to get another look but were blocked. Tom later contacted the restaurant and Columbus police.
• While Nick remains skeptical about sightings, the group considers the strength of Tom’s conviction.
• Quote:
  "He was so adamant that he found the name of the restaurant they were at by going back through his bank statements. And he sent me the name of the restaurant, which I contacted, and I emailed them a photo of Brian." — Kelly (37:49)
• Relevant Timestamp: 31:13–38:35

7. The “Rocker Guy” Photo

(Begins ~39:07)

• Another anonymous photo surfaces on Websleuth/Reddit showing a man on stage at a festival, in rockstar attire, resembling Brian. Kelly considers this the most convincing image, noting striking similarities in facial features and hands.
• The problem: Brian had a distinct Pearl Jam tattoo, but it is not visible in the photo where it should be.
• There are rumors of a second, “out of costume” photo, but Kelly has not obtained it. The original source has gone silent after legal troubles.
• The hosts appeal to listeners for identification.
• Quote:
  "…the person that analyzed it came back and told me that it was not Photoshopped, but it had been cropped from its original picture. So there was something cropped out of it when it was sent to me, but it definitely was not Photoshopped." — Kelly (44:38)

8. Public Appeal & Reflection on the Investigation

• The hosts urge listeners to scrutinize the posted photos—maybe someone can ID the individuals, not necessarily Brian.

• Both hosts and Kelly lament the lack of transparency and comprehensiveness in the original police investigation, noting how many people close to Brian or in his orbit were never questioned or publicly identified.

• They stress their intention is not to accuse anyone, but rather to expand the collection of facts.

• Quote:
  "You don't have to be the person. You can just go, hey, I know that guy. I played in a band with him. His name is whatever." — Host (45:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the “Homeless Man” tip:
  "He told her his name was Brian, but he doesn't remember anything else...when she asked him about the tattoo, the man got very upset and began yelling at her."
  — Kelly (07:54)

• On expanding the friend group at the Ugly Tuna:
  "Why are we just now hearing that there were four other people out with Brian that night when it's been so widely reported that Brian was out with Clinton Meredith that night when that's simply not the case?"
  — Kelly (19:02)

• On the Mexico sighting’s credibility:
  "He was so adamant that he found the name of the restaurant they were at by going back through his bank statements. And he sent me the name of the restaurant, which I contacted, and I emailed them a photo of Brian."
  — Kelly (37:49)

• On the need for crowdsourced identification:
  "You don't have to be the person. You can just go, hey, I know that guy. I played in a band with him."
  — Host (45:42)

Key Timestamps

• [02:34] – Kelly begins telling her story: early days, interviews, and starting her FB group
• [04:23 – 09:05] – The “Homeless Man” tip and its investigation
• [10:01 – 15:06] – The suspicious co-worker, heavy equipment access, and party on Pearl Alley
• [16:16 – 23:37] – Deep dive into the “party photo,” questions about Jason Fistic and more friends
• [31:13 – 38:35] – Puerto Vallarta restaurant sighting
• [39:07 – 45:21] – The “rocker photo” analysis and plea for information

Tone and Style

The conversation is candid, skeptical yet empathetic, and fueled by the hosts’ love for the case and frustration with its cold status. Kelly’s investigative persistence is matched by the hosts' curiosity and humor. They remain careful not to cast unfounded suspicion, pushing instead for transparency, crowdsourcing, and the possibility that fresh eyes will spot what law enforcement and family may have missed.

Final Call to Action

The hosts ask listeners to examine and share the circulated photos in hopes of identifying individuals, confirming/excluding Brian, and generating new leads for police and family.

"Check out the photos on our social media and Kelly's group. If you recognize anyone or have information, let us know—or even better, reach out to Columbus Police."