True Crime Garage – Brandon Swanson /// Missing /// Part 2 (Feb 5, 2026)
Main Theme & Purpose
In Part 2 of their deep dive into the disappearance of Brandon Swanson, hosts Nic and the Captain continue examining the mysterious 2008 case of the missing 19-year-old from Marshall, Minnesota. This episode focuses on the extensive search efforts—including bloodhound tracking, private and professional searches, and possible scenarios that could explain Brandon's unexplained vanishing. The hosts walk listeners through maps, methodologies, and persistent rumors, while weighing the logic—and pitfalls—of leading theories. The conversational, skeptical tone encourages listeners to challenge easy assumptions and engage with the mystery as armchair detectives.
Key Points & Discussion Highlights
1. The Search: Tracking Brandon’s Final Steps
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Search Efforts Overview (03:57–09:49)
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After Brandon’s green Chevy Lumina was found hung up on a remote ditch—20 miles from where he thought he was—professional searches began, using dogs, ATVs, horses, and helicopters.
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Bloodhounds traced a 3-mile scent trail from the car, down gravel roads, to the Yellow Medicine River. The river at the time was swollen with spring runoff.
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The lead dog jumped in and out of the river, then continued tracking to another road where the scent ended—suggesting Brandon entered and exited the water.
"Now, because the dog actively jumped into and then back out of the river and then continued along a scent path that ended into nothingness, investigators are not convinced that Brandon drowned in the river." - Nic (07:40)
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Limitations of Dog Tracking (08:05–10:23)
- Uncertainty persists about whether one or multiple dogs were used, and whether they were tracking scent or remains.
- Despite exhaustive searches (over 50 times), no personal items or traces of Brandon were found in or near the river.
2. Mapping Out Brandon’s Route
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Reconstructing Brandon’s Movements (12:11–16:18)
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Nic provides a detailed, step-by-step mapping of the search dog trail, corresponding to local roads and landmarks.
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Emphasis on how disorientation—possibly seeing the lights of Porter, not Lynd, as he believed—led Brandon in a circuitous route.
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The hosts highlight that off the main route (68), Brandon may have been unfamiliar with the area, despite local assumptions.
"Rather than assuming that he knows the area well, I would debate that quite heavily. I question that... off of Route 68, he may not know at all." - Nic (17:07)
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Terrain & Misjudgment (15:47–20:18)
- Brandon’s path took him through gravel roads, past abandoned farms, and along the river—which could have easily contributed to confusion and miscalculation given the time and his impaired condition.
3. The Scale and Science of the Search
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Professional Search Management: Jeff Hasse (21:30–24:42)
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When official searches wound down, private groups led by Jeff Hasse took over, applying scientific profiling and calculated maximum distance models to set new priorities.
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Using retrospective data, most missing persons in similar circumstances are found within a roughly 5-mile radius.
"Retrospective studies... found that in these circumstances involving abandoned vehicles, the subjects were found within 5.6 miles from the last known position. This is 95% of the time." - Jeff Hasse (24:32/quoted by Nic)
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Technological Efforts (22:10–23:19)
- Texas Equisearch and others deployed sonar, remote-controlled planes, and later drones, but turned up no evidence.
- Constraints: farmland, changing seasons (harvest, rivers), and weather affected search windows and effectiveness.
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Largest Search of Its Kind (33:53–36:12)
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Over 500 volunteers, 34 dog handlers from 9 states, more than 120 days, and 120 square miles—searches spanned years, focusing on river systems and farm fields northwest of Porter, due to repeated dog alerts.
"It's by far the biggest search that he has ever been involved in in terms of length of time, number of missions and number of searchers involved." – Jeff Hasse (35:20/quoted by Nic)
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4. Ongoing Investigation
- Case Still Open (37:12–39:09)
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As of 2010, the Minnesota BCA took over.
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Leads trickle in, and special agents remain open to breakthroughs.
"The case is open. And just last week I got another lead or two. Sometimes you need a break in the case. All it takes sometimes is one thing. So we're not giving up." – BCA Agent Derek Woodford (38:30/quoted)
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5. Examining Major Theories
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Alien Abduction & “Out There” Theories (39:36–41:33)
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The hosts mention and dismiss wild theories—aliens, Bigfoot, time portals—citing the lack of supporting evidence or sightings.
"Sometimes in these missing person case they go, he was probably walking down the road and Bigfoot got him, you know, or the aliens took him or the Mothman or he went into a time portal. You know, just have some kind of evidence of this." – Captain (40:18)
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Drug Impairment (“Bad Meth”) Theory (42:03–48:23)
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A popular online suggestion is that Brandon was impaired by drugs, notably meth. The hosts analyze but largely dismiss this, citing:
- Sheriff statements and family reports support Brandon’s sobriety.
- Brandon sounded coherent in his 47-minute call with his dad.
- Rumors about a pipe found in his car have not led police to believe he was impaired.
"The father, we have the mother, we have the sheriff, we have friends—none of them are going, 'Yeah, he was so effed up that he ended up God knows where.'" – Nick (46:13)
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Vehicle Accident / “Hit by a Car” Theory (54:06–59:14)
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Some theorize Brandon was struck by another vehicle and the incident covered up.
- The hosts find little supporting evidence: no tire marks, no blood, no mention of another car on the call, no evidence at the dog’s final scent location.
"If he saw a car, he would very likely assume it to be his father first. Or even if he didn't... he would say, 'Wait, there's somebody coming.'" – Nick (57:25)
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Foul Play / Confrontation Theories (59:47–66:40)
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Two types covered:
- Random violence: Unlikely, given isolation.
- Landowner confrontation: A local farmer may have mistaken Brandon for a threat—possibly resulting in a fatal altercation or even an illegal trap.
- Debt or personal dispute: Persistent rumors he owed drug or vehicle money, though unsubstantiated.
"The only thing would have been if someone was in the shadows and they got him that way ... I can't explain why clothing, belongings wouldn't surface after all these searches and after all this time." – Sheriff Vasecki (68:05)
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Other Notable Points
- Brandon’s case is listed in VICAP, which tracks violent crime victims—leading some to suspect authorities think violence/foul play more likely.
- His car was found with doors open and keys missing.
6. Family Perspective
- Brandon’s Mother (End, 69:08)
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Annette Swanson’s plea: Don’t forget Brandon—he was real, beloved, and deserves to be remembered.
"Talk about Brandon. Brandon is a real person. He touched a lot of lives. And don't forget him. He has a smile that lights up his whole face. He is big hearted and kind and he really believed in doing the right thing." – Annette Swanson (69:39/quoted)
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Memorable Quotes & Moments
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On Dog Tracking
“If you believe the search dog's accuracy, Brandon entered and then exited the river.”
– Nic (10:18) -
On Theories Getting Outlandish
“He was probably walking down the road and Bigfoot got him, you know, or the aliens took him or the Mothman or he went into a time portal. You know, just have some kind of evidence of this.”
– Captain (40:18) -
On Comparison to Other Cases
"This theory in itself almost seems cut and pasted from Brandon Lawson's case. ... It's all bad meth. There is no good meth. All right. Just don't do meth."
– Nic (43:17) -
On Parental Determination
"What I can tell you from what I've spent two weeks on looking at mom and dad, I can tell you they only have one agenda in this entire huge story and that is to find their son."
– Nick (49:16) -
On the Frustration of No Physical Evidence
"I can't explain why clothing, belongings wouldn't surface after all these searches and after all this time."
– Sheriff Vasecki (68:05/quoted)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [03:57] – Start of search efforts and dog tracking details
- [12:11] – Step-by-step mapping and analyzing Brandon’s possible path
- [21:30] – Jeff Hasse’s scientific search methodology
- [33:53] – Scale of volunteer searches and use of cadaver dogs
- [37:12] – BCA's comments on ongoing investigation
- [39:36] – Dismissal of ‘alien/Sasquatch’ theories
- [42:03] – “Bad meth” theory and substance use discussion
- [54:06] – Hit by a car theory
- [59:47] – Foul play, random violence, and rumors of debts
- [67:09] – On VICAP listing and unexplained evidence gaps
- [69:08] – Annette Swanson: plea for remembrance
Closing Thoughts
The episode masterfully balances skepticism with empathy, taking rumors and theories seriously only when warranted and letting the evidence (or its absence) guide the inquiry. The hosts stress the enduring mystery, the relentless determination of Brandon’s parents, and the ongoing nature of both official and community investigation. Their open-ended approach fosters careful thought, empathy for the family, and vigilance against sensationalism.