Simply Vanished.

Brandon Swanson

A chilling final phrase…

In May of 2008, 19-year-old Brandon Swanson vanished after calling his parents after he drove his car into a ditch in the middle of the night. What followed was a 47-minute phone conversation filled with reassurance, confusion, and ultimately, a chilling final exclamation—“Oh, shit”—before the line went silent forever.

In this episode of They Disappeared, we retrace Brandon’s final known moments and the labyrinth of unknowns that followed. From rural gravel roads to a scent trail that led to—and beyond—a river, we explore the theories that continue to circle his case: accident, foul play, misjudged location, or something far more complex.

We also examine the evolving investigative tools that could finally bring clarity to the mystery, including drone imaging, forensic genetic genealogy, and underwater sonar mapping. And we reflect on the legacy Brandon left behind—not just in memory, but in law—with the passing of "Brandon's Law," which forever changed how missing adults are treated in Minnesota.

This is more than a case. It’s a moment suspended in time. A call unanswered. A question still echoing through the fields of southwestern Minnesota. What happened to Brandon Swanson?

If you or someone you know remembers anything strange in the area of his disappearance, please contact your local FBI office with the link below:

https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices

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