True Crime Garage: Brandon Swanson /// Missing /// Part 1

Podcast Date: February 5, 2026
Hosts: Nic & Captain
Case: The Disappearance of Brandon Swanson

Overview

This episode is the first part of Nic and Captain’s deep dive into the mysterious disappearance of Brandon Swanson, who vanished on May 14, 2008, near Canby, Minnesota. The hosts methodically explore Brandon's background, the events leading up to his disappearance, his last known movements, and the perplexing evidence that has left investigators baffled for more than a decade. As always, Nic and Captain bring their immersive, conversational style, thoroughly examining each detail of the case while reflecting on the confusion and tragedy of Brandon’s fate.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Brandon Swanson: Background and Personality

• Brandon Swanson: 19 years old, from Marshall, Minnesota; close to his family (parents Brian & Annette, younger sister).
• Described as “a sweet, good kid who loved reading and debating... very intelligent and he liked to read and ponder complicated topics like string theory.” (Nick, 07:25)
• Studied wind energy at Minnesota West Community and Technical College, planning to transfer for a science degree.
• Legally blind in his left eye.
• Worked part-time at a grocery store bakery (“reliable young man”).
• Loved politics, history, music, the Minnesota Twins.

2. Timeline of Brandon's Last Night (May 13-14, 2008)

• 6:00 pm: Leaves home for a small graduation party in Lynd (five people, high school friends).

  • Brandon consumed some alcohol, but reports are unclear on how much. Witnesses did not report him as excessively intoxicated.
  • “He was not overly intoxicated according to the people who were at this party.” (Nick, 10:20)

• 10:30/11:00 pm: Leaves Lynd party for another gathering in Canby (college friends).

  • Attended to say goodbye to a friend.
  • Noted to have had one shot of whiskey; reported to have left alone between midnight and 1:30 am.
  • The timing of departure is ambiguous: “Some reports that state that he left as early as midnight and some reports that left as late as 1:30 in the morning.” (Nick, 13:35)

3. Driving Route: Geography & Theories

• The most direct route from Canby to Marshall is Route 68 — 30 miles, 30-35 minutes.
• For unknown reasons, Brandon did not take this direct route, instead likely using rural backroads.
  • Possibly to avoid DUI checkpoints or police, as he was underage and had a prior DUI.
  • “He wants to fly under the radar, so to speak. He wants to take a less direct, less populated route to get home.” (Nick, 16:17)
• The area is rural, flat, grid-like with little to distinguish one road or field from another, making navigation at night especially confusing.

4. Final Phone Activity and Disappearance

• 1:54 am (May 14): Brandon calls his parents for help, claiming his green Chevy Lumina is stuck in a ditch off a gravel road near Highway 23 (he believes he’s near Lynd).
  • He attempts to give detailed directions and instructs his parents to look for him.
  • Parents drive to the area he describes but cannot find him.
• Multiple calls take place between Brandon and his parents.
  • Attempted coordination by flashing headlights: “She could hear... the switch being flipped on and flipped off through the phone.” (Nick, 23:09)
  • Neither party can see the other; mounting frustration.
  • Brandon is certain of his location—“Brandon... was absolutely positive he knew where he was.” (Nick quoting Brian Swanson, 21:13)
• Eventually, Brandon leaves his car, believing he sees the lights of Lynd and deciding to walk toward them, instructing his dad to meet at the Lyndwood Tavern.

5. The Critical Last Call

• 2:23 am: Phone call with his dad resumes as Brandon walks on a gravel road, later deciding to cut across fields.
  • He describes crossing two fence lines and hearing running water.
  • Suddenly, Brandon exclaims, “Oh, shit,” (Nick, 33:00) followed by a noise as if something slipped, and the call disconnects at 3:10 am.
  • His father repeatedly calls back; the phone rings but no answer—debate over whether this means the phone had battery/service or not.

6. Search Efforts and Law Enforcement Response

• Parents and friends search throughout the night with no sign of Brandon or his car.
• 6:30 am: Brandon officially reported missing to Lyon County Sheriff. Initially, police slow to respond (“not unusual for a 19-year-old to not come home”), to the hosts' frustration.
  • “It is certainly police protocol... when we are talking about a missing adult. But I like... when someone jumps into action immediately.” (Nick, 36:58)
• After pressure from Brandon’s parents, the sheriff’s office joins the search and quickly requests cell phone records.
• Key breakthrough: Phone records show the last ping was not near Lynd, but 20 miles away in Minneota—shifting the search area entirely.

7. Discovery of the Car and Theories

• At 12:30 pm, May 14: Brandon’s car is found “in a ditch off a gravel road... along a minimum maintenance road off Lyon Lincoln County Road,” west of Taunton and east of Porter—about 20–25 miles away from where Brandon claimed to be.

• The car is undamaged but “hung up” so that the wheels are off the ground.

  • “Nothing unusual was found in, near or on the vehicle. One source says the car doors were found open. If that is true... that would be incredibly strange.” (Nick, 48:55)
  • No evidence of injury or foul play.
  • No tracks due to road grading earlier that morning.

• Substance Use: Rumors of a “pipe” found in the car—unclear if tobacco, marijuana, or just an unrelated object. The hosts are skeptical of these reports, leaning toward misinformation.

  • Police state they do not believe Brandon was impaired, and no friends said he was drunk or high.
  • Captain argues signs of confusion, backroads, and questionable decisions point toward some impairment (alcohol, exhaustion, or otherwise).

8. Unanswered Questions and Remaining Mysteries

• Why was Brandon so adamant about his mistaken location?
• How did he become so disoriented in an area he was claimed to know well?
  • “I think it would have been incredibly easy to make a wrong turn... Everything kind of looks the same.” (Nick, 43:49)
• Why did the call end so suddenly after Brandon’s exclamation?
• No clues from phone logs or text messages.
• The case is compared to the Brandon Lawson disappearance—another “Brandon” who vanished after a mysterious call.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On rural confusion:
  “If you look at Lyon County, Minnesota on Google Maps... it’s incredibly rural... the roads are almost laid out in a grid... everything looks the same.” (Nick, 19:57)
• On police skepticism of urgency:
  “The police pointed out... it’s not unusual for a 19-year-old to not come home... but did they call in the middle of the night asking for help?” (Nick & Captain, 37:11)
• On the emotional stakes:
  “It’s unfortunate for a number of reasons... At the very least, play along, play the game. Send an officer out in a car...” (Nick, 37:58)
• On evidence of impairment:
  “The fact that he doesn’t know where he’s at—sign of impairment. The fact that then he claims where he’s going to start walking towards—again, another sign of impairment.” (Captain, 52:40)
• On the final call:
  Brandon: “Oh, shit.” (Nick, 33:00)

Important Timestamps

• [07:25] – Brandon’s background and personal details
• [10:04] – First party, alcohol use, social context
• [13:35] – Uncertainty about timeline, leaving second party
• [15:11] – Theories on taking backroads and prior DUI
• [16:17] – Brandon’s intent to avoid detection
• [19:57] – Rural geography, why Brandon could be confused
• [21:13] – Brandon’s sense of certainty about his location
• [23:09] – Headlight-flashing attempt and frustration
• [33:00] – The final call, “Oh, shit,” and sudden disconnect
• [36:58] – Law enforcement’s initial response
• [39:20] – Cell phone tower breakthrough, shifting search zone
• [41:27] – Location mismatch: where Brandon was vs. where he thought he was
• [48:55] – Car found, physical evidence and rumors (the “pipe”)
• [52:40] – Debate about whether Brandon was impaired or not
• [59:47] – Comparison to other missing persons cases (e.g., Brandon Lawson)
• [61:09] – What’s coming in Part 2: the search and theories

Tone and Style

True Crime Garage delivers a conversational, analytical approach—balancing seriousness about the tragedy at hand with the easygoing rapport of two seasoned, beer-loving hosts. Nic and Captain speculate, question, and openly express frustration at both the investigatory process and the baffling circumstances of the case, inviting listeners to think critically and empathize with the family’s ordeal.

Episode Takeaways

• Brandon Swanson’s disappearance remains deeply perplexing because of the mismatch between his reported and real location, the lack of physical evidence, and the abrupt cessation of all contact.
• The hosts highlight the challenge of navigating rural America at night—compounded by exhaustion, possible intoxication, and overconfidence in one’s sense of direction.
• The episode ends with a promise to cover the search efforts, theories, and additional details in Part 2.

To share your own theories about the disappearance of Brandon Swanson, visit truecrimegarage.com.