About Brian

Brian Randall Shaffer was born 02-11-1979 in Baltimore, Ohio; the son of Randy and Renee Shaffer. He has a brother, Derek; who is three years younger than him. Ever since he was a kid, Brian demonstrated to have the ability to excel in any sport; he plays soccer, baseball and tennis. He also has a great passion for music, which he inherited from both of his parents. He says he wants to have his own band and put out a record. Brian met his girlfriend, Alexis, during the summer of 2005; he had a crush on her since he first saw her and as it turned out, she too had a crush on him. Ever since they met they have been inseparable; he is very much in love with her and, according to Randy –Brian’s dad- he couldn’t wait to marry her and have a baby with her. This last year was very difficult for the Shaffer’s as Renee was diagnosed with myelodysplasia, which affects the function of the bone marrow to produce white cells, red cells, and platelets. This was a major tragedy for the entire family; it was extremely difficult for all of them to see Renee suffering throughout the treatments and getting weaker. She meant the world to her family and they all went through very a difficult time dealing with her illness. Brian wrote about his mom: [what he likes] "doing things with my mom, who was the greatest most wonderful person in the world!!!!!” [His hero]: "Me mum.........she will always inspire me to do my best and I don't want to let her down". Sadly, Renee finally lost her battle against myelodysplasia; she passed away on March 6, 2006. Only 25 days had passed after her death, when tragedy struck the Shaffer family with the realization of Brian’s disappearance on the early hours of April 1st.

 

The Brian We Know

 

Please click on the pictures below for a message from Randy Shaffer, Brian's dad; and a note from Alexis, Brian's soul-mate.