Shaffer was last seen at the Ugly Tuna Saloona, a bar near the Ohio State University (OSU) campus, between 1:30 and 2:00 a.m. on April 1, 2006. He had gone there to celebrate the beginning of spring break with several male friends. He has never been heard from again. Shaffer's car was found parked at his apartment, which is near the Ugly Tuna Saloona, after his disappearance. None of his personal belongings disappeared with him, and his credit cards and bank accounts have not been used since he went missing.

Shaffer's loved ones describe his disappearance as highly unusual. He was a second-year medical student at OSU at the time of his disappearance, and made excellent grades. He and his girlfriend, another medical student, were planning to vacation in Miami, Florida for spring break and were scheduled to fly there on April 3, two days after his disappearance. Shaffer's mother died of cancer in March 2006 and he was upset about this, but his family and friends stated he was not inordinately depressed or suicidal. He was in love with his girlfriend at the time of his disappearance and reportedly planned to marry her.

In May 2006, someone broke into Shaffer's apartment. It is unclear whether the burglary has anything do with his disappearance, however. Shaffer's father looked in the Olentangy River for his son's remains after his disappearance, but turned up no evidence.

Authorities do not believe Shaffer left of his own accord, but it is unclear what caused his disappearance. He graduated Pickerington High School in 1997 and got a bachelor's degree in microbiology from OSU in 2003. Shaffer's case remains unsolved.

Left: Pearl Jam symbol tattooed on Shaffer's arm;
Right: Shaffer's tattoo