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About Brian Below is an email Randy had written to the President of Project Jason, Kelly Jolkowski the day before Randy was killed.
My life without my son Brian
The year 2006 was the worst year in my life. My son Brian, who was about to start his 3rd year in Med School at Ohio State, suddenly vanished into thin air on April the 1st of 2006. I had just went to dinner with him at the Outback Steakhouse in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. He seemed just fine, and was really comforting me that night because we both had just loss something extremely precious in our life: my gorgeous wife of almost 30 years and Brian's Mother. She died three weeks before Brian vanished. Brian was such a handsome man with so many talents that I think about often. He was such a natural athlete and just good at sports. He played outdoor and indoor soccer and was always on a good traveling team. One thing that I really admired about him when he played a team sport was his consideration for the other team mates. He would often pass off instead of being a ball hog and racking up points. Brian was also an excellent baseball player as he moved so fluidly when he was retrieving a baseball. He also excelled in tennis as well. His mom and I were so proud of him. After his first 4 years of college, he decided to go into pre-med. He studied very hard and was actually in the top 10 of his class in 2005. Even after losing his mom, he still was able to get decent grades. His last test score was an 86, I believe. His last Christmas card to his mom said, " You are the best mother in the whole world and inspire me to do great things one day." Just reading that brings tears to my eyes.
Brian was supposed to come out to the house and help me clean things up on Saturday afternoon. I didn't think too much of it because there were times when he said he was coming and did not show up. On Sunday night, I got a call from his girlfriend asking if I had heard from Brian. I told her I had not and then called up Brian's brother and asked if he would check at his apartment and see if he was okay. Brian never returned and then the worst fear that a parent can have was suddenly my fear. Brian went out drinking with a buddy and they both walked to the Ugly Tuna Saloona and had some shots. They then walked downtown to another bar called Brother's, had a few shots, and then were driven back by a female acquaintance to the Ugly Tuna Saloona. When they left that night, Brian supposedly went to talk to the band and the other 2 friends went to the car. The last time Brian was seen was at 1:57 AM, which is on tape.
For a good 8 months my phones rang off the wall. Reporters were calling all the time because I was constantly doing anything possible to let everyone know about my son's disappearance. Because of my efforts, the police were forced to start sooner than they would have in getting involved. A missing ADULT is not as important to the authorities unless you, the parent gets involved. My company made thousands of wrist bands and buttons that I have distributed to a lot of people. I have been involved with the passing of a bill called Jonathon's Law which speeds up the time for the authorities to get moving. With the help of numerous people, thousands of fliers were put up all over Columbus, Ohio and throughout other states whenever people went out of town. I did several searches and prayer vigils, and spoke to the freshman at Ohio State about safety. I also did 2 commercials, interviews with Rita Cosby, Dateline, Greta Van Susteren 5 times, and an interview with A & E just to name a few. Keeping your loved one's name out there in the public is the only way to hopefully find them, especially if there is no evidence at all. Brian's poster will soon appear across the country with the help of Project Jason?s 18 Wheel Angels campaign. I thank you and Project Jason so much for that. The public does forget after time, but the parents never forget. People have no idea of what it is like to lose a son or daughter until it happens to them.
Randy Shaffer, Brian's Dad
a note by Randy in 2006
Brian is such a super son. He was and still is in my mind heading for a great career in the medical field. He just has all of the credentials to fill that capacity. Just one look at some of his pictures that are in this website, when he had his white-coat ceremony at Ohio State, the start of
Med School; it just saddens my heart so much to think that this has happened to him! He not only is extremely smart, but also a very good
looking young man. He probably gets his good looks from his mother, of whom I miss dearly. I do take credit for that striking smile, but my
beautiful wife also had an endless smile that was always there. Brian is a super athlete also. He had the most natural ability to excel in any sport.
His movements were so fluid… He is a very good soccer player, a very talented baseball player, and also an excellent tennis player. Brian is
extremely courteous, and very conscious about how people would perceive him; he is definitely a people-pleaser for that reason. I need to get him
back in my life so bad. My wife had so much love for both of her sons along with me. Sometimes, it seems unbearable to have lost such a
gorgeous, wonderful, precious woman, my wife and best friend; and now I have to look for my son... Because of the great love that I had for Renee,
my wife, I will find him someway; somehow; hopefully for the good. I need to find him because of my younger son, so that he can relax with his life
too. This is so hard for him. I love him so much also. There is another beautiful person in my life that also drives me to find Brian. That is the
very beautiful and caring person that Brian intends to marry and her name is Alexis. She is such a sweet person and I think the world of her, and so
did my wife Renee. I have told her that if she doesn't mind, I like to think of her as the daughter that I never had. Please help me find my son.
His brother needs him. Alexis needs him; and I need him home now.
Please,
help me find him… Love to all of you out there who read this.
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