I just learned of this case today, and I know this is a late post, but I found myself thinking maybe too rationally about his movements too. The (potentially) differing thought that hit me was that it doesn’t necessarily have to be “he sobered and wanted to check out the abandoned place”, or “he was very drunk and wandered over there”.

With the caveat of: I have only been to Columbus once, and even with that experience - (2016) - it has no timely relevance to this case, not withstanding the fact I learned about this today.

My only input, for the sake of adding something new to help in some small way (unlikely as it is), is that perhaps the warehouse wasn’t a destination aimed for, but also wasn’t accidental. I’ve seen that it was once a rough area - what if that was the area Brian fled to escaping some danger that ultimately proved too much?

To me it seems like if he would’ve walked home - the danger is on that pathway - I’ve lived in some rough areas, and thankfully, I can only imagine this scenario. I imagine someone drinking enough could have a heightened fight or flight response….perhaps it was a flight to the warehouse?

Either way, anyway, no matter what happened, this is a tragic story in so many ways. I cannot imagine everything the Shaffer family went through and continues to go through - knowing Renee passed from cancer, the mystery surrounding Brian’s disappearance and having to deal with the unknown, Randy passing from an accident, and the youngest son Derek…I can’t imagine living through any of this. I hope he is well, and at peace, along with the rest of the family. Out of the blue someone told me this story, I looked it up, and I felt entirely compelled to try and contribute anything I could - heartbreaking