Ep. 053 | Without a Trace: The Stories of Brian Shaffer & Niqui McCown
On April 1, 2006, 27-year-old Ohio State University medical student Brian Shaffer disappeared under mysterious circumstances. After a night out with friends at the Ugly Tuna Saloona in Columbus, Ohio, he was captured on surveillance footage entering the bar but was never seen leaving. Despite extensive investigations, including reviewing security footage and conducting searches, no trace of Brian has been found. The case remains unsolved, with theories ranging from accidental death to voluntary disappearance.
Marilyn "Niqui" McCown, a 28-year-old corrections officer from Richmond, Indiana, vanished on July 22, 2001, just three weeks before her wedding. After doing laundry at a local laundromat, she was never seen again. Her SUV was later found abandoned in Dayton, Ohio, with her laundry still inside. Despite investigations and various theories, including potential involvement of her fiancé, no conclusive evidence has emerged, and Niqui remains missing.
BRIAN SHAFFER SOURCES:
Gurley, A. (2025, April 1). Brian Shaffer... Revisiting the bizarre disappearance — 19 years later. People. https:///brian-shaffer-disappearance-update-2025
Johnston, A. (2009, April). In the name of the father. Columbus Monthly. https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/news/2009/04/01/in-name-father/22956059007/
Miner, A. (2008, October 12). Brian Shaffer: Clue could lead to missing student. The Lantern. https://www./2008/10/clue-could-lead-to-missing-student/
Pepi, K. (2016, November 13). A guy walks into a bar — and is never seen again. Mel Magazine. https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/brian-shaffer-disappearance-10-years-later
Shaffer, B. R. (2006). Missing person alert: Brian Randall Shaffer [FBI ViCAP Bulletin No. 2006-06-01]. Federal Bureau of Investigation. https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/brian-randall-shaffer
Sullivan, D. (2009, April 12). Is Brian Shaffer alive? The Lantern. https://www./2009/04/is-brian-shaffer-alive/
Sullivan, M. (2014, September).When missing persons cases go cold. Columbus Monthly.https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/news/2014/09/01/when-missing-persons-cases-go/22950836007/
NIQUI MCCOWN SOURCES (Story written and told by Kaydra from Perplexity: A Mystery Podcast):
