1 00:00:02,166 --> 00:00:05,600 {\an8}[narrator] Brian Klecha disappeared on December 26, 2017. 2 00:00:05,667 --> 00:00:09,265 I would call him at different times of the day. 3 00:00:09,266 --> 00:00:12,866 One time I woke up in the middle of the night and tried to call him. 4 00:00:12,867 --> 00:00:17,500 And then I got really worried and I know something horrible had happened to Brian. 5 00:00:19,300 --> 00:00:22,466 [narrator] His family is desperate for answers. 6 00:00:22,467 --> 00:00:25,466 [man] My first, uh, reaction was that he just ran away. 7 00:00:25,467 --> 00:00:28,065 That he needed to just be by himself. 8 00:00:28,066 --> 00:00:29,999 But he would've never left his cats. That... really scared me. 9 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:31,000 But he would've never left his cats. That... really scared me. 10 00:00:32,166 --> 00:00:36,099 It's just been difficult. How could he not be here? 11 00:00:36,100 --> 00:00:41,900 [narrator] This episode of Disappeared retraces Brian's last known steps. 12 00:00:41,967 --> 00:00:46,966 Brian's ex-boyfriend, AJ, said that Brian was somewhat obsessed with him. 13 00:00:46,967 --> 00:00:51,700 And very upset because AJ has moved on to a new relationship. 14 00:00:51,767 --> 00:00:55,165 There was a very uncomfortable, very palatable 15 00:00:55,166 --> 00:00:56,766 amount of tension in the house. 16 00:00:56,767 --> 00:00:59,999 So you had this very crazy triangle of drama. 17 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:01,000 So you had this very crazy triangle of drama. 18 00:01:01,066 --> 00:01:04,666 Like a... on a gasoline. It was... It was pretty bad. 19 00:01:04,667 --> 00:01:07,265 [narrator] The more people who know Brian's story... 20 00:01:07,266 --> 00:01:10,200 the greater the chance of bringing him home. 21 00:01:10,266 --> 00:01:13,466 [narrator reading] 22 00:01:13,467 --> 00:01:15,666 Help find him. 23 00:01:15,667 --> 00:01:18,266 {\an8}[narrator reading] 24 00:01:37,500 --> 00:01:40,300 {\an8}I'm Kathy, Brian Klecha is my son. 25 00:01:41,867 --> 00:01:46,467 December 26th in 2017 was the last time I heard from him. 26 00:01:47,667 --> 00:01:50,300 Brian is kind, very giving. 27 00:01:50,367 --> 00:01:53,200 Just a really nice person. 28 00:01:53,266 --> 00:01:55,466 Brian always liked people. 29 00:01:55,467 --> 00:01:57,866 I don't know if it was because he was an only child. 30 00:01:57,867 --> 00:01:59,999 But I can remember waking him up for school, 31 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:00,900 But I can remember waking him up for school, 32 00:02:00,967 --> 00:02:01,000 and telling him if he didn't get up, 33 00:02:03,667 --> 00:02:06,500 he would miss school and miss all the other kids there. 34 00:02:06,567 --> 00:02:07,600 And that worked. 35 00:02:11,567 --> 00:02:15,200 {\an8}I'm Nate, and I am Brian's good friend. 36 00:02:15,266 --> 00:02:18,200 I met Brian in about 2014. 37 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:21,967 We actually met at a gay bar that I was working at. 38 00:02:23,700 --> 00:02:28,566 Brian had a childlike innocence about him that really struck a chord with me. 39 00:02:28,567 --> 00:02:29,999 Our personalities just clicked. We became really close really quick. 40 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:31,000 Our personalities just clicked. We became really close really quick. 41 00:02:33,100 --> 00:02:36,000 He liked to, uh, go on adventures and stuff. 42 00:02:36,066 --> 00:02:38,265 One time we got to go to Oklahoma city, 43 00:02:38,266 --> 00:02:40,600 it was snowing, and Brian was like, 44 00:02:40,667 --> 00:02:42,566 "What are you doing right now? Do you have anywhere to go?" 45 00:02:42,567 --> 00:02:45,265 And I was like, "No". And he was like, "We're gonna go sledding." 46 00:02:45,266 --> 00:02:48,300 It was my first time ever sledding. That was a lot of fun. 47 00:02:49,266 --> 00:02:50,200 Just, wee! 48 00:02:51,266 --> 00:02:53,266 That's one of my favorite memories of him. 49 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:58,166 I definitely feel blessed that Brian came into my life. 50 00:03:00,266 --> 00:03:01,000 I used to have a really bad drinking problem. I was almost at rock bottom. 51 00:03:04,166 --> 00:03:06,966 And he was the first person to get it through my head 52 00:03:06,967 --> 00:03:08,367 that I might have a drinking problem. 53 00:03:09,367 --> 00:03:12,966 And we went and checked out rehab places. 54 00:03:12,967 --> 00:03:16,467 He knew that I wanted to quit as much as he wanted me to quit. 55 00:03:18,300 --> 00:03:21,767 One time I went down to visit him, and he took me to the beach for the first time. 56 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:25,999 And we got to swim around, 57 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:29,265 and play in the water, which I'd never got to do before. 58 00:03:29,266 --> 00:03:30,000 And he got to meet the sober me, 59 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:31,000 And he got to meet the sober me, 60 00:03:33,066 --> 00:03:34,567 It was very special. 61 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:39,600 [Kathy] Since Brian was little, he's always loved Christmas. 62 00:03:41,166 --> 00:03:44,366 When Brian was grown, he told me he's rather have money for Christmas. 63 00:03:44,367 --> 00:03:46,766 So I would-- Instead of me buying him stuff, 64 00:03:46,767 --> 00:03:50,100 so I would just send him, um, transfer money to his bank account. 65 00:03:53,500 --> 00:03:57,500 On December 26th, 2017, 66 00:03:57,567 --> 00:03:59,999 he texted me and asked me, have I sent him my Christmas present. [chuckles] 67 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:01,000 He texted me and asked me, have I sent him my Christmas present. [chuckles] 68 00:04:02,367 --> 00:04:05,700 And so, I called him, and I said, um, 69 00:04:05,767 --> 00:04:08,566 I sent it on the 24th. It should be in your bank account, 70 00:04:08,567 --> 00:04:10,100 if not today, tomorrow. 71 00:04:11,867 --> 00:04:15,165 He said, "Thank you." And he said, "I'm in a hurry, Ma. 72 00:04:15,166 --> 00:04:18,165 {\an8}"I have to go." And, "I'll call you back later." 73 00:04:18,166 --> 00:04:20,500 But I didn't hear back from him. 74 00:04:23,567 --> 00:04:27,500 {\an8}My name is Andrew Dowler, and I was Brian Klecha's roommate. 75 00:04:30,467 --> 00:04:31,000 I first met Brian around December 15th, 2017. 76 00:04:37,066 --> 00:04:38,766 I owned a house, had a roof to rent. 77 00:04:38,767 --> 00:04:43,400 And a roommate, AJ, said he knew a guy named Brian. 78 00:04:43,467 --> 00:04:48,165 Needed a place to stay, vouched for him, I said, sure. No problem. 79 00:04:48,166 --> 00:04:52,566 When I first met him, he, uh, seemed very shy, very soft-spoken. 80 00:04:52,567 --> 00:04:54,866 When you see him, you just wanna give him a hug. 81 00:04:54,867 --> 00:04:57,165 That-- I just can't describe it any other way. 82 00:04:57,166 --> 00:04:59,366 You know, he's got the two cats. 83 00:04:59,367 --> 00:05:00,000 He loves cats. He referred to them as his fur babies. 84 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:01,000 He loves cats. He referred to them as his fur babies. 85 00:05:03,100 --> 00:05:04,467 He was a very private person. 86 00:05:05,367 --> 00:05:08,366 Especially about him being gay. 87 00:05:08,367 --> 00:05:11,600 Definitely very lowkey. 88 00:05:11,667 --> 00:05:13,767 If you saw him on the street, you would not know he was gay. 89 00:05:15,500 --> 00:05:18,999 The dynamic between AJ and Brian was very confusing. 90 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:21,065 I have no idea exactly when they met, 91 00:05:21,066 --> 00:05:22,866 or how long they've known each other. 92 00:05:22,867 --> 00:05:26,566 But they both used the term 'boyfriend' at a different time. 93 00:05:26,567 --> 00:05:29,767 But AJ was far more guarded with that term. 94 00:05:33,266 --> 00:05:36,265 The time that Brian moved in, it was very hectic. 95 00:05:36,266 --> 00:05:39,966 I have a fulltime job, Brian had his job, 96 00:05:39,967 --> 00:05:41,567 I didn't get to see him a lot. 97 00:05:43,500 --> 00:05:46,100 So on December 22nd, 2017, 98 00:05:47,166 --> 00:05:51,866 7:47 am, I left the house to go on vacation. 99 00:05:51,867 --> 00:05:56,466 The last sight I have of Brian was leaving the hallway from my bedroom. 100 00:05:56,467 --> 00:05:59,999 His door was wide open, I just remember him lying there. 101 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:00,767 His door was wide open, I just remember him lying there. 102 00:06:02,467 --> 00:06:04,265 The two cats were curled up with him. 103 00:06:04,266 --> 00:06:06,767 And, uh, that was the last time I saw him. 104 00:06:09,867 --> 00:06:12,600 When I first didn't hear from Brian, 105 00:06:12,667 --> 00:06:17,265 I thought, hmm, wonder am I... If he's ignoring me, or if he's really busy. 106 00:06:17,266 --> 00:06:20,666 Brian had told me he had found brand new roommates. 107 00:06:20,667 --> 00:06:24,700 But I didn't know where Brian was currently living, I didn't know get the address. 108 00:06:24,767 --> 00:06:26,300 I knew he was working. 109 00:06:28,567 --> 00:06:29,999 Brian loved theme parks. 110 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:30,600 Brian loved theme parks. 111 00:06:30,667 --> 00:06:31,000 He worked at one in high school. 112 00:06:32,867 --> 00:06:36,866 And had then recently worked at one in Orlando. 113 00:06:36,867 --> 00:06:38,367 He was a bus driver. 114 00:06:39,867 --> 00:06:41,566 And also, after he got off work, 115 00:06:41,567 --> 00:06:44,666 he would work as an Uber driver for extra money. 116 00:06:44,667 --> 00:06:47,766 Sometimes he would call me, you know, like every three days. 117 00:06:47,767 --> 00:06:49,800 And sometimes it might be six months. 118 00:06:49,867 --> 00:06:52,866 I just thought he must be busy. 119 00:06:52,867 --> 00:06:56,500 [Andrew Dowler] When I came back from my vacation he wasn't at the house. 120 00:06:58,000 --> 00:06:59,999 I'm just assuming I'm gonna see him at some point or what not. 121 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:00,600 I'm just assuming I'm gonna see him at some point or what not. 122 00:07:02,166 --> 00:07:05,800 But couple of days did go by and uh, Brian's not there. 123 00:07:07,467 --> 00:07:11,466 As time goes on, I realize, "Hey, wait a second. His cats are still there." 124 00:07:11,467 --> 00:07:14,265 So, where is Brian? 125 00:07:14,266 --> 00:07:19,099 I was very worried for him. I did not have his phone number. 126 00:07:19,100 --> 00:07:23,266 When I didn't hear from Brian, I would call him at different times of the day. 127 00:07:25,166 --> 00:07:29,200 One time I woke up in the middle of the night and tried to call him... 128 00:07:29,266 --> 00:07:30,000 You know, I thought, maybe be might wake up and pick up the phone. 129 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:31,000 You know, I thought, maybe be might wake up and pick up the phone. 130 00:07:32,266 --> 00:07:36,265 I texted him, I emailed him, but no response. 131 00:07:36,266 --> 00:07:41,265 I started to call his work, probably I would say, eight to ten times 132 00:07:41,266 --> 00:07:43,300 and talk to their security office. 133 00:07:44,700 --> 00:07:46,900 They told me they would get back with me. 134 00:07:46,967 --> 00:07:48,567 No one ever got back with me. 135 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:52,065 So, finally I went up to his work, 136 00:07:52,066 --> 00:07:54,767 and I didn't really get a response either. 137 00:07:58,567 --> 00:07:59,999 I started driving around in... 138 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:00,767 I started driving around in... 139 00:08:00,767 --> 00:08:01,000 the state of Florida looking for my son. 140 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:05,500 But I couldn't find him. 141 00:08:05,567 --> 00:08:07,000 It was really hard. 142 00:08:08,100 --> 00:08:09,667 And then I got really worried. 143 00:08:10,700 --> 00:08:15,300 [stutters] It was just a horrible panic mode. 144 00:08:15,367 --> 00:08:19,400 I knew something horrible had happened to Brian. 145 00:08:19,467 --> 00:08:22,600 [Nate Bossea] Me and him haven't talked for, uh, about a month. 146 00:08:22,667 --> 00:08:26,766 And I was nervous 'cause he wasn't answering the phone or anything like that. 147 00:08:26,767 --> 00:08:29,000 I thought he had gotten tangled up with a boy. 148 00:08:30,467 --> 00:08:31,000 And then, finally his mom contacted me and... 149 00:08:33,166 --> 00:08:35,099 said, "Brian's been missing." 150 00:08:35,100 --> 00:08:38,099 Instantly I hung up and tried calling Brian again. 151 00:08:38,100 --> 00:08:41,600 And, um, it just went straight to voicemail. 152 00:08:41,667 --> 00:08:43,166 That really scared me. 153 00:08:45,066 --> 00:08:48,600 [Kathy] In March of 2018, I made a police report. 154 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:53,100 They told me to take it to Tampa Police. 155 00:08:53,166 --> 00:08:56,566 But Tampa, Tampa Police told me it really wasn't their responsibility 156 00:08:56,567 --> 00:08:58,866 because he lived in Polk County. 157 00:08:58,867 --> 00:08:59,999 That was really frustrating to me that nobody would investigate 158 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,000 That was really frustrating to me that nobody would investigate 159 00:09:02,066 --> 00:09:05,065 because they told me it was somebody else's jurisdiction. 160 00:09:05,066 --> 00:09:07,700 And it wasn't their responsibility. 161 00:09:07,767 --> 00:09:11,165 The Tampa Police detective that I talked to 162 00:09:11,166 --> 00:09:15,266 told me he would try to call someone he knew at the State Police. 163 00:09:17,266 --> 00:09:19,000 {\an8}My name is Chuck Massucci. 164 00:09:19,066 --> 00:09:21,866 {\an8}I'm with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. 165 00:09:21,867 --> 00:09:27,265 I was assigned as the lead agent in the disappearance of Brian Klecha. 166 00:09:27,266 --> 00:09:29,999 FDLE, Florida Department of Law Enforcement is a State Police agency. 167 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:31,000 FDLE, Florida Department of Law Enforcement is a State Police agency. 168 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:35,166 We are the investigative branch to the State Police. 169 00:09:38,867 --> 00:09:42,767 [Kathy] In March of 2018, Chuck came to my house. 170 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:45,666 [Chuck Massucci] I wanted her to meet me face-to-face. 171 00:09:45,667 --> 00:09:48,466 I wanted her to know who's gonna be responsible 172 00:09:48,467 --> 00:09:51,466 for moving this investigation forward. 173 00:09:51,467 --> 00:09:55,000 I had many questions going through my head. 174 00:09:55,066 --> 00:09:59,999 [Chuck] She wanted to know what happened to Brian, and where is he. 175 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:00,200 [Chuck] She wanted to know what happened to Brian, and where is he. 176 00:10:00,266 --> 00:10:01,000 The cats being left behind was suspicious. 177 00:10:03,166 --> 00:10:07,400 His mother felt that Brian would not have left his cats behind 178 00:10:07,467 --> 00:10:10,065 if he had left on his own volition. 179 00:10:10,066 --> 00:10:12,666 I could see her concern. 180 00:10:12,667 --> 00:10:16,666 Brian's mother loved her son. 181 00:10:16,667 --> 00:10:22,666 When a parent loses a child, it's one of the worst tragedies we can experience. 182 00:10:22,667 --> 00:10:26,766 But Brian's mother, in particular is in a position where she's lost a child 183 00:10:26,767 --> 00:10:29,967 and doesn't have a resolution. It's heart-breaking. 184 00:10:31,467 --> 00:10:34,566 I remember he did tell me the hardest part is just not knowing where... 185 00:10:34,567 --> 00:10:36,400 your child is. 186 00:10:41,266 --> 00:10:42,900 [Chuck] I recognized that... 187 00:10:42,967 --> 00:10:46,200 this was gonna be a difficult investigation from the get-go. 188 00:10:47,367 --> 00:10:49,866 Brian's disappearance was problematic 189 00:10:49,867 --> 00:10:52,366 because we didn't have a good handle of 190 00:10:52,367 --> 00:10:54,467 where specifically he went missing from. 191 00:10:58,000 --> 00:10:59,999 {\an8}[Kathy] I had made a flyer to let people know 192 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:00,800 {\an8}[Kathy] I had made a flyer to let people know 193 00:11:00,867 --> 00:11:01,000 {\an8}that my son was missing. And if they have any information 194 00:11:05,066 --> 00:11:06,400 to contact the police. 195 00:11:06,467 --> 00:11:09,200 The next thing I do is... 196 00:11:09,266 --> 00:11:12,800 set up a Facebook page and message some of his friends. 197 00:11:12,867 --> 00:11:15,400 And let them know that Brian is missing 198 00:11:15,467 --> 00:11:17,966 and had they had contact with him. 199 00:11:17,967 --> 00:11:20,900 And many people had contacted me back and said, no. 200 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:24,800 {\an8}My name is Ryan Williams-Jent. 201 00:11:24,867 --> 00:11:27,667 {\an8}And I'm the managing editor for watermark. 202 00:11:28,767 --> 00:11:29,999 Watermark is the LGBTQ news source 203 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:31,000 Watermark is the LGBTQ news source 204 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:34,165 for central Florida and Tampa Bay. 205 00:11:34,166 --> 00:11:39,600 We basically just highlight LGBTQ voices throughout the area. 206 00:11:39,667 --> 00:11:45,467 Brian's disappearance did not seem to get much traction in the press. 207 00:11:47,467 --> 00:11:49,266 {\an8}So we wanted to cover the story. 208 00:11:50,467 --> 00:11:52,000 {\an8}I really wanted to help spread the word. 209 00:11:53,500 --> 00:11:56,566 [Nate] I went on a lot of the dating apps. 210 00:11:56,567 --> 00:11:59,999 I just started sending the missing poster to people. 211 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:01,000 I just started sending the missing poster to people. 212 00:12:01,166 --> 00:12:04,966 Most places, the gay community is really close-knit. 213 00:12:04,967 --> 00:12:07,366 And so... 214 00:12:07,367 --> 00:12:11,366 I was really hoping that somebody would've seen that and... 215 00:12:11,367 --> 00:12:13,500 known what happened. 216 00:12:13,567 --> 00:12:16,366 But I hadn't go any leads. 217 00:12:16,367 --> 00:12:18,466 That really frustrated me. 218 00:12:18,467 --> 00:12:20,667 I felt like there wasn't enough that I could do. 219 00:12:22,500 --> 00:12:25,866 [Chuck] Finally in April of 2018, 220 00:12:25,867 --> 00:12:29,165 I get a lead that helped in this investigation. 221 00:12:29,166 --> 00:12:30,000 I learned that on the 27th of December 222 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:31,000 I learned that on the 27th of December 223 00:12:33,367 --> 00:12:37,567 the last withdraw was made from Brian's Credit Union account. 224 00:12:39,066 --> 00:12:42,466 To verify that it was Brian that made the withdrawal, 225 00:12:42,467 --> 00:12:49,066 I contact the bank and they provide me still pictures from a surveillance video. 226 00:12:51,100 --> 00:12:53,165 It shows Brian driving his jeep, 227 00:12:53,166 --> 00:12:55,667 and it shows Brian walking into the bank. 228 00:12:56,800 --> 00:12:59,100 [Nate] I saw the video when he was in the bank. 229 00:12:59,166 --> 00:13:00,000 It just looked like he was normally there to do a withdrawal. 230 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:01,000 It just looked like he was normally there to do a withdrawal. 231 00:13:02,467 --> 00:13:05,100 I didn't see anything out of the ordinary about it. 232 00:13:06,567 --> 00:13:10,100 [Nate] I learned that $200 had been withdrawn. 233 00:13:12,100 --> 00:13:14,366 And he did not appear to be under any duress 234 00:13:14,367 --> 00:13:16,367 as he walked in and exited the bank. 235 00:13:19,967 --> 00:13:24,066 It was $200 that I sent him for Christmas that he took out of the bank. 236 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:26,666 That was the last time 237 00:13:26,667 --> 00:13:29,999 that he has been recorded or seen. 238 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:30,867 That he has been recorded or seen. 239 00:13:30,867 --> 00:13:31,000 I just thought, this doesn't make sense. Where is my son? 240 00:13:39,266 --> 00:13:42,165 [Andrew] I last see Brian before Christmas, 241 00:13:42,166 --> 00:13:45,099 {\an8}and then he just falls off the fact of the earth. 242 00:13:45,100 --> 00:13:48,700 {\an8}There's just this... of, of not knowing. 243 00:13:50,266 --> 00:13:53,867 And then AJ leaves weeks later. 244 00:14:00,567 --> 00:14:03,666 I didn't see Brian when I returned home from Christmas. 245 00:14:03,667 --> 00:14:07,690 But I did see him in my inbox. He had written me this email. 246 00:14:07,691 --> 00:14:08,000 But I did see him in my inbox. He had written me this email. 247 00:14:08,467 --> 00:14:14,200 {\an8}He was expressing his hesitancy about if he's gonna be able to stay there. 248 00:14:14,266 --> 00:14:19,800 With the whole dynamic, I can understand why he would not want to stay here. 249 00:14:19,867 --> 00:14:24,165 So him leaving kind of fit in partially with the story of like, 250 00:14:24,166 --> 00:14:25,700 mm, maybe he just disappeared. 251 00:14:26,967 --> 00:14:29,099 [Kathy] The email, it just was weird. 252 00:14:29,100 --> 00:14:31,100 {\an8}It just didn't sound like Brian. 253 00:14:32,166 --> 00:14:35,300 Brian had masters in reading and literature. 254 00:14:35,367 --> 00:14:37,690 The email, it just wasn't the style of his writing. 255 00:14:37,691 --> 00:14:38,000 The email, it just wasn't the style of his writing. 256 00:14:39,266 --> 00:14:43,866 It just wasn't Brian's words, it wasn't his spelling. 257 00:14:43,867 --> 00:14:47,700 I do believe the email wasn't sent by Brian. 258 00:14:49,567 --> 00:14:53,666 [Chuck] So my starting point was Brian's house. 259 00:14:53,667 --> 00:14:59,200 {\an8}I would generalize the neighborhood as being, um, working class. 260 00:14:59,266 --> 00:15:04,300 The neighbors seemed to watch for vehicles that shouldn't be there. 261 00:15:04,367 --> 00:15:07,690 It is a safe neighborhood if you belong there and you're known to be there. 262 00:15:07,691 --> 00:15:07,767 It is a safe neighborhood if you belong there and you're known to be there. 263 00:15:09,266 --> 00:15:12,200 [Ryan Williams-Jent] From my reporting in Brian's disappearance, 264 00:15:12,266 --> 00:15:16,900 {\an8}I was able to determine that Brian had moved into a a residence 265 00:15:16,967 --> 00:15:22,566 {\an8}in Lake Glens 12 days prior to his going missing. 266 00:15:22,567 --> 00:15:25,900 Which I understood to be sort of a communal residence. 267 00:15:27,467 --> 00:15:31,166 That is not uncommon for members of the LGBTQ community. 268 00:15:32,467 --> 00:15:35,366 Florida is increasingly expensive. 269 00:15:35,367 --> 00:15:37,690 We're also a state where many folks from many states come to live. 270 00:15:37,691 --> 00:15:38,000 We're also a state where many folks from many states come to live. 271 00:15:40,967 --> 00:15:43,866 Sometimes without any family 272 00:15:43,867 --> 00:15:46,165 because that family doesn't accept them in the community, 273 00:15:46,166 --> 00:15:48,265 or because they just wanted a change. 274 00:15:48,266 --> 00:15:50,566 I myself am from Ohio and when I moved here, 275 00:15:50,567 --> 00:15:52,867 I was in a communal situation with friends. 276 00:15:55,166 --> 00:15:57,000 [Chuck] I identify Andrew Dowler 277 00:15:57,066 --> 00:15:59,700 as the owner of the home through property records. 278 00:15:59,767 --> 00:16:03,166 I... find him at his place of employment. 279 00:16:05,567 --> 00:16:07,690 When I first hear, "Hey, can you come down to HR... 280 00:16:07,691 --> 00:16:08,000 When I first hear, "Hey, can you come down to HR... 281 00:16:09,667 --> 00:16:11,199 "the police are here to see you." 282 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:15,065 I immediately know in my head, it's for, it's something with Brian Klecha, 283 00:16:15,066 --> 00:16:17,700 I'm either gonna find out he died somewhere, I'm gonna get the news. 284 00:16:17,767 --> 00:16:18,667 Oh, my gosh. 285 00:16:18,668 --> 00:16:19,899 And I'm like, my hearts beating, 286 00:16:19,900 --> 00:16:21,966 I'm like, oh, what happened? What happened? What happened? 287 00:16:21,967 --> 00:16:23,800 I come to find out they don't know where he is. 288 00:16:26,367 --> 00:16:27,966 [Chuck] I'll tell you this about Andrew. 289 00:16:27,967 --> 00:16:32,300 He was cooperative, and I would say, forth-right 290 00:16:32,367 --> 00:16:34,667 from the beginning of our conversation. 291 00:16:36,166 --> 00:16:37,690 After talking to Andrew, I learned that Brian was introverted, 292 00:16:37,691 --> 00:16:38,000 After talking to Andrew, I learned that Brian was introverted, 293 00:16:40,767 --> 00:16:43,567 spending majority of his time in his room. 294 00:16:44,667 --> 00:16:47,866 I wanted to understand the timeline 295 00:16:47,867 --> 00:16:50,000 of when Brian moved into the house. 296 00:16:51,266 --> 00:16:54,500 I learned that when Brian moved in, 297 00:16:54,567 --> 00:16:57,966 the relationship that he had had with AJ is ended. 298 00:16:57,967 --> 00:16:59,667 At least in AJ's mind. 299 00:17:01,266 --> 00:17:04,366 To complicate Brian's situation, 300 00:17:04,367 --> 00:17:07,100 AJ has moved onto a new relationship. 301 00:17:08,767 --> 00:17:10,866 [Andrew] AJ tells me he has a second friend. 302 00:17:10,867 --> 00:17:13,866 Dillion, it's an emergency. He needs a place to stay. 303 00:17:13,867 --> 00:17:18,000 And seeing how, how great Brian was working out, 304 00:17:18,066 --> 00:17:21,500 I agreed. But, come to find out, 305 00:17:21,567 --> 00:17:24,500 AJ likes Dillion, like a lot. 306 00:17:24,567 --> 00:17:27,000 So we have got Brian in one room, 307 00:17:27,066 --> 00:17:29,366 you've got Dillion in another, 308 00:17:29,367 --> 00:17:31,265 and AJ in another room. 309 00:17:31,266 --> 00:17:33,366 And since he likes Dillion, 310 00:17:33,367 --> 00:17:37,466 there's a very uncomfortable, very palatable 311 00:17:37,467 --> 00:17:37,691 amount of tension in the house between... 312 00:17:37,691 --> 00:17:38,000 amount of tension in the house between... 313 00:17:41,066 --> 00:17:44,200 AJ's attention going to Dillion. 314 00:17:44,266 --> 00:17:46,566 Brian getting jealous. 315 00:17:46,567 --> 00:17:51,200 So you had this very crazy triangle of drama 316 00:17:51,266 --> 00:17:55,265 that, uh, erupted that I never saw coming. 317 00:17:55,266 --> 00:17:58,800 And, uh... Throwing flame on a gasoline. It was... It was pretty bad. 318 00:18:00,066 --> 00:18:02,866 [Chuck] I learned that Brian is very distressed 319 00:18:02,867 --> 00:18:06,466 and very upset about the break up with AJ 320 00:18:06,467 --> 00:18:07,690 and AJ's current relationship with the other roommate. 321 00:18:07,691 --> 00:18:08,000 And AJ's current relationship with the other roommate. 322 00:18:11,166 --> 00:18:14,666 [Nate] In my opinion, AJ is somebody that took advantage of Brian 323 00:18:14,667 --> 00:18:16,165 and treated him badly. 324 00:18:16,166 --> 00:18:20,165 I know that I received several phone calls from Brian, upset. 325 00:18:20,166 --> 00:18:22,800 He would tell me, AJ did this, AJ did that. 326 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:27,800 [Andrew] Brian's emoting and brooding, 327 00:18:27,867 --> 00:18:30,165 and pacing and worrying. 328 00:18:30,166 --> 00:18:32,866 And, I'm like, why? Why are you doing this to yourself? 329 00:18:32,867 --> 00:18:34,300 You're such a good guy. 330 00:18:34,367 --> 00:18:37,690 I can see this spiral, I can see... Oh, this is not goof. 331 00:18:37,691 --> 00:18:38,000 I can see this spiral, I can see... Oh, this is not goof. 332 00:18:39,166 --> 00:18:43,500 There was one time I remember he laid against the wall of one room... 333 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:47,165 And it was almost like he'd have his ear to the wall 334 00:18:47,166 --> 00:18:51,367 so he can try to listen to what's going on in Dillion's room. 335 00:18:52,867 --> 00:18:55,266 I just remember, his face was so sad. 336 00:18:56,767 --> 00:18:58,266 I was very worried for him. 337 00:19:00,500 --> 00:19:02,500 {\an8}[Nate] Suicide did cross my mind 338 00:19:02,567 --> 00:19:05,000 {\an8}as he has a suicide attempt at my house. 339 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:07,690 I found him in his closet. He had taken a lot of pills. 340 00:19:07,691 --> 00:19:08,000 I found him in his closet. He had taken a lot of pills. 341 00:19:11,467 --> 00:19:16,666 I had to be the one to call 911 and... we got him to the hospital. 342 00:19:16,667 --> 00:19:19,666 It was really scary. 343 00:19:19,667 --> 00:19:25,200 [Ryan] Suicide, it certainly is a concern for members of the LGBTQ community. 344 00:19:25,266 --> 00:19:28,566 Many members do struggle with mental health because of a lack of acceptance. 345 00:19:28,567 --> 00:19:32,366 {\an8}The Trevor Project, which is the nation's largest 346 00:19:32,367 --> 00:19:36,566 {\an8}LGBTQ focused organization that deals with suicide. 347 00:19:36,567 --> 00:19:37,690 They found in one of their larger studies 348 00:19:37,691 --> 00:19:38,000 They found in one of their larger studies 349 00:19:39,266 --> 00:19:44,866 {\an8}that 45 percent of LGBTQ youth had considered suicide 350 00:19:44,867 --> 00:19:46,666 {\an8}in that last year. 351 00:19:46,667 --> 00:19:51,300 [Nate] But in Brian's case, I don't feel that he would do it in a way where 352 00:19:51,367 --> 00:19:53,165 we wouldn't find his body. 353 00:19:53,166 --> 00:19:55,300 So the fact that we haven't found one 354 00:19:55,367 --> 00:19:57,266 leads me to think that it wasn't suicide. 355 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:03,065 [Ryan] It's not something that would be ruled out necessarily. 356 00:20:03,066 --> 00:20:06,466 But our reporting didn't find any indication 357 00:20:06,467 --> 00:20:07,690 that that would, would've been the case with Brian. 358 00:20:07,691 --> 00:20:08,000 That that would, would've been the case with Brian. 359 00:20:10,467 --> 00:20:13,466 [Nate] My first gut reaction was that he just ran away. 360 00:20:13,467 --> 00:20:16,100 That he needed to just be by himself. 361 00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:19,300 But he would never have left his cats. 362 00:20:19,367 --> 00:20:22,466 His cats were his prized possession. 363 00:20:22,467 --> 00:20:25,900 And so, when I found out that he didn't take his cats, 364 00:20:25,967 --> 00:20:27,667 that really scared me. 365 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:32,400 [Chuck] During my interviews, I'm hearing a variety of explanations 366 00:20:32,467 --> 00:20:35,466 about what happened to Brian. 367 00:20:35,467 --> 00:20:37,690 Specifically, AJ had told one friend, 368 00:20:37,691 --> 00:20:38,000 Specifically, AJ had told one friend, 369 00:20:38,967 --> 00:20:42,065 that Brian went out for a walk and never returned. 370 00:20:42,066 --> 00:20:46,300 He told another roommate that Brian returned to his family. 371 00:20:46,367 --> 00:20:51,099 He told a second roommate that Brian went to a, uh, camp ground 372 00:20:51,100 --> 00:20:52,834 that caters to the gay community. 373 00:20:54,667 --> 00:20:59,767 [Ryan] Sawmill Campground, it's definitely an LGBTQ hotspot in Florida. 374 00:21:01,467 --> 00:21:04,265 They have cabins, people bring their RVs. 375 00:21:04,266 --> 00:21:06,466 There are multiple bars. 376 00:21:06,467 --> 00:21:07,690 So a lot of LGBTQ people will visit to stay for 377 00:21:07,691 --> 00:21:08,000 So a lot of LGBTQ people will visit to stay for 378 00:21:11,166 --> 00:21:15,099 a day a week, you know, longer. 379 00:21:15,100 --> 00:21:19,966 [Andrew] I was well aware of Brian's interest in going to Sawmill 380 00:21:19,967 --> 00:21:22,500 because they had huge parties, they're epic. 381 00:21:24,867 --> 00:21:27,999 He was looking forward to letting lose. 382 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:29,999 And I was both, 383 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:32,600 a little happy, and a little worried at the same time about that. 384 00:21:32,667 --> 00:21:33,667 [siren wailing] 385 00:21:36,166 --> 00:21:37,690 [indistinct radio chatter] 386 00:21:37,691 --> 00:21:37,698 [indistinct radio chatter] 387 00:21:37,699 --> 00:21:38,000 [Chuck] I followed up on all of the leads as possibilities. 388 00:21:41,667 --> 00:21:44,200 We sent agents out to the campground. 389 00:21:44,266 --> 00:21:46,600 We canvassed the neighborhood 390 00:21:46,667 --> 00:21:49,900 and the area beyond the neighborhood looking for video, 391 00:21:49,967 --> 00:21:52,366 and, or witnesses that would've seen him. 392 00:21:52,367 --> 00:21:54,400 None of that panned out. 393 00:21:54,467 --> 00:21:57,767 None of those stories were probably true. 394 00:21:59,266 --> 00:22:01,666 [Andrew] So sometime into late January, 395 00:22:01,667 --> 00:22:06,165 I feel concerned so I wanna email Brian. 396 00:22:06,166 --> 00:22:07,690 It's my only means of communication with him. 397 00:22:07,691 --> 00:22:07,867 It's my only means of communication with him. 398 00:22:09,266 --> 00:22:11,300 But he's not responding to his emails. 399 00:22:11,367 --> 00:22:13,300 And I'm like, where is Brian? 400 00:22:14,867 --> 00:22:17,466 To complicate matters, AJ appears to be... 401 00:22:17,467 --> 00:22:20,466 renting out Brian's car to people. 402 00:22:20,467 --> 00:22:22,866 I'm seeing people come to the house, 403 00:22:22,867 --> 00:22:25,766 the keys being handed over, money handed over, 404 00:22:25,767 --> 00:22:29,367 And that is, that is unacceptable no matter how you slice it. 405 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:33,666 And then, I ask AJ, "You must know something. What's going on? 406 00:22:33,667 --> 00:22:35,500 "Have you talked to him? Has he responded to you? 407 00:22:35,567 --> 00:22:37,690 "He's not responding to me." 408 00:22:37,691 --> 00:22:37,700 "He's not responding to me." 409 00:22:37,767 --> 00:22:38,000 He's like, "Man, he hasn't, he hasn't responded." 410 00:22:41,767 --> 00:22:43,600 Kind of felt a little cold at first, but... 411 00:22:43,667 --> 00:22:46,867 I'm... I know not to worry. He does this all the time. 412 00:22:47,800 --> 00:22:49,867 He disappears. He just seems so... 413 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:53,466 Just detached. Like, oh, it's all cool. 414 00:22:53,467 --> 00:22:54,800 I, I'm getting very frustrated. 415 00:22:54,867 --> 00:22:56,800 There's a point where I shove AJ against the wall. 416 00:22:58,367 --> 00:23:00,766 And I'm like, where is Brian? 417 00:23:00,767 --> 00:23:05,265 There was a moment I could see it. He looked at me with his eyes and I... 418 00:23:05,266 --> 00:23:06,700 I was instantly scared. 419 00:23:06,767 --> 00:23:07,691 I just didn't see that side of him at first. 420 00:23:07,691 --> 00:23:08,000 I just didn't see that side of him at first. 421 00:23:08,467 --> 00:23:10,166 Like, I had all the bells and whistles going. 422 00:23:11,367 --> 00:23:14,666 Very shortly after, January 15th of 2018, 423 00:23:14,667 --> 00:23:16,667 AJ has a friend come pick him up. 424 00:23:17,700 --> 00:23:19,266 And I haven't seen him since. 425 00:23:26,867 --> 00:23:28,566 [Chuck] On April 4th, 426 00:23:28,567 --> 00:23:30,966 Andrew's very cooperative with me. 427 00:23:30,967 --> 00:23:36,165 {\an8}And he agrees to give me consent to search his home. 428 00:23:36,166 --> 00:23:39,766 The house is a relatively small single family home 429 00:23:39,767 --> 00:23:41,666 with three bedrooms. 430 00:23:41,667 --> 00:23:46,165 Andrew directs me to the room where Brian was staying in. 431 00:23:46,166 --> 00:23:50,366 And when I go to the door, my first observation is, there is no door. 432 00:23:50,367 --> 00:23:52,400 It's being kicked in, and a sheet is hanging over it. 433 00:23:52,401 --> 00:23:53,000 It's being kicked in, and a sheet is hanging over it. 434 00:23:56,100 --> 00:24:02,766 If a door gets kicked in or removed, you can suppose potential violence. 435 00:24:02,767 --> 00:24:08,900 When I looked past the curtain, there is furniture, clothing, debris, 436 00:24:08,967 --> 00:24:10,900 just piled up in there. 437 00:24:10,967 --> 00:24:13,667 I was shocked how poorly maintained the room was. 438 00:24:16,066 --> 00:24:19,366 I used this chemical called Bluestar, 439 00:24:19,367 --> 00:24:22,400 and the Bluestar shows multiple locations 440 00:24:22,401 --> 00:24:23,000 and the Bluestar shows multiple locations 441 00:24:23,367 --> 00:24:25,667 where there was potentially blood. 442 00:24:27,100 --> 00:24:30,065 There was at least seven, or not ten 443 00:24:30,066 --> 00:24:34,200 locations within the room that someone had a bloodshed. 444 00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:41,866 Polk County crime lab and myself gathered the DNA by using swabs. 445 00:24:41,867 --> 00:24:45,999 FDLE took possession of this swab evidence 446 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:49,767 and turned it over to the FDLE crime lab for analysis. 447 00:24:51,166 --> 00:24:52,400 I was a little surprised and disheartened at the results. 448 00:24:52,401 --> 00:24:53,000 I was a little surprised and disheartened at the results. 449 00:24:56,367 --> 00:25:00,566 I learned that Brian was not the only person that had lived in that room 450 00:25:00,567 --> 00:25:05,600 in the weeks and months prior to his disappearance. 451 00:25:05,667 --> 00:25:10,766 Andrew allowed multiple individuals to stay in that room. 452 00:25:10,767 --> 00:25:14,800 Some permanently, some very temporarily, a night or two. 453 00:25:16,500 --> 00:25:19,200 Based on the amount of people that stayed there, 454 00:25:19,266 --> 00:25:21,767 based on the activities that occurred, 455 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:26,966 our swabs picked up three to five contributors 456 00:25:26,967 --> 00:25:29,700 and those are not able to be analyzed. 457 00:25:29,767 --> 00:25:31,900 Uh, a profile cannot be created. 458 00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:35,800 It was that many biological contributors 459 00:25:35,867 --> 00:25:37,767 the data was undeterminable. 460 00:25:40,567 --> 00:25:45,165 Next, we checked the park's vacant land around his house 461 00:25:45,166 --> 00:25:50,400 in the event Brian wandered off and something happened to him. 462 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:52,401 We started by searching the local waters around Brian's home. 463 00:25:52,401 --> 00:25:53,000 We started by searching the local waters around Brian's home. 464 00:25:55,867 --> 00:26:00,200 We sent the boats out and we checked the shorelines by foot. 465 00:26:01,500 --> 00:26:03,867 We began to look at parks and open fields. 466 00:26:05,500 --> 00:26:09,500 None of the searches that we did... revealed Brian's location 467 00:26:09,567 --> 00:26:13,567 or provided us any other further leads into his whereabouts. 468 00:26:16,567 --> 00:26:21,100 [Ryan] To our knowledge, FDLE was able to extensively search 469 00:26:21,166 --> 00:26:22,400 areas where Brian may have been. 470 00:26:22,401 --> 00:26:23,000 Areas where Brian may have been. 471 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,566 {\an8}But they were unsuccessful, 472 00:26:26,567 --> 00:26:29,367 {\an8}and the search for Brian... continues. 473 00:26:31,367 --> 00:26:34,366 [Chuck] At this point I wanna find out as much as I can about AJ 474 00:26:34,367 --> 00:26:36,966 and conduct the first interview 475 00:26:36,967 --> 00:26:43,666 to allow AJ to give me an accounting of his relationship with Brian. 476 00:26:43,667 --> 00:26:46,300 {\an8}I was curious on who this AJ was, 477 00:26:46,367 --> 00:26:48,366 {\an8}and what was he doing with my son's vehicle. 478 00:26:48,367 --> 00:26:51,100 {\an8}And why was he lending it to people? 479 00:26:51,166 --> 00:26:52,400 It is my opinion, AJ knows where Brian is at. 480 00:26:52,401 --> 00:26:53,000 It is my opinion, AJ knows where Brian is at. 481 00:26:55,567 --> 00:26:59,866 I had this media page set up by LostNMissing, 482 00:26:59,867 --> 00:27:02,200 a non-profit that helps families 483 00:27:02,266 --> 00:27:06,366 and gives them advice for looking for missing family members or loved ones. 484 00:27:06,367 --> 00:27:13,366 And I used it to contact all of Brian's friends and his social media pages 485 00:27:13,367 --> 00:27:15,600 because I didn't know all of his friends. 486 00:27:17,266 --> 00:27:20,100 I did get some tips back from people. 487 00:27:20,166 --> 00:27:22,400 Brian's coworker had sent me the picture of AJ. 488 00:27:22,401 --> 00:27:23,000 Brian's coworker had sent me the picture of AJ. 489 00:27:24,467 --> 00:27:27,265 I put his picture on the flyer. 490 00:27:27,266 --> 00:27:30,266 And this is the picture that she had sent me. 491 00:27:31,400 --> 00:27:34,867 From the very beginning AJ was on our radar. 492 00:27:36,467 --> 00:27:39,766 We weren't able to verify much when it came to AJ. 493 00:27:39,767 --> 00:27:43,000 I do know that there was somewhat of a criminal history. 494 00:27:43,066 --> 00:27:46,366 I do know that there were implications 495 00:27:46,367 --> 00:27:49,766 via social media that he was involved with Brian's disappearance. 496 00:27:49,767 --> 00:27:52,400 But we weren't able to verify much information. 497 00:27:52,401 --> 00:27:52,667 But we weren't able to verify much information. 498 00:27:52,667 --> 00:27:53,000 Certainly from our reporting there wasn't much to go on there. 499 00:27:59,266 --> 00:28:03,165 [Chuck] I had a difficult time locating AJ. 500 00:28:03,166 --> 00:28:05,900 He doesn't have any vehicles registered in his name, 501 00:28:05,967 --> 00:28:09,400 he doesn't have any home addresses of record. 502 00:28:09,467 --> 00:28:11,866 He doesn't have any work employment. 503 00:28:11,867 --> 00:28:14,900 So I had to rely on witnesses 504 00:28:14,967 --> 00:28:18,800 from this case coming forward and identifying where he may be living. 505 00:28:18,867 --> 00:28:21,666 I also had to track down some of his relatives 506 00:28:21,667 --> 00:28:22,401 who may have been putting him up. 507 00:28:22,401 --> 00:28:23,000 Who may have been putting him up. 508 00:28:24,567 --> 00:28:29,767 Locating AJ has become at this stage, my highest priority. 509 00:28:34,367 --> 00:28:36,500 {\an8}[narrator reading] 510 00:28:52,467 --> 00:28:54,900 [Chuck] My first contact with AJ 511 00:28:54,967 --> 00:28:57,667 doesn't occur until the end of June. 512 00:28:59,467 --> 00:29:01,667 I encountered AJ in the city of Tampa. 513 00:29:03,166 --> 00:29:03,209 {\an8}AJ invites me into his home. 514 00:29:03,210 --> 00:29:04,000 {\an8}AJ invites me into his home. 515 00:29:06,166 --> 00:29:10,566 He's very personable. He's very soft spoken. 516 00:29:10,567 --> 00:29:15,666 I believed that AJ had a lot of casual relationships 517 00:29:15,667 --> 00:29:18,266 with different men in the gay community. 518 00:29:20,266 --> 00:29:23,800 I wouldn't identify him and a significant drug dealer, 519 00:29:23,867 --> 00:29:28,466 but I believe that he did dabble or peddle at it. 520 00:29:28,467 --> 00:29:30,900 [Andrew] Drugs were always at the house at that time. 521 00:29:30,967 --> 00:29:32,900 {\an8}AJ was the supplier. 522 00:29:32,967 --> 00:29:33,211 {\an8}He made it very clear when he was going to pick stuff up, when he was delivering. 523 00:29:33,211 --> 00:29:34,000 {\an8}He made it very clear when he was going to pick stuff up, when he was delivering. 524 00:29:37,900 --> 00:29:40,866 [Ryan] There was many folks in the LGBTQ community 525 00:29:40,867 --> 00:29:44,466 {\an8}who do struggle with addiction, who do struggle with drug use. 526 00:29:44,467 --> 00:29:46,400 {\an8}For years and years and years, 527 00:29:46,467 --> 00:29:50,766 {\an8}the only place that many members of the LGBTQ community could be themselves, 528 00:29:50,767 --> 00:29:53,666 were in bars and nightclubs. 529 00:29:53,667 --> 00:29:58,000 Places where drug use, alcohol use may be more prevalent. 530 00:29:59,166 --> 00:30:01,566 And that certainly, and not to say 531 00:30:01,567 --> 00:30:03,210 that all members of the LGBTQ community are doing that. 532 00:30:03,211 --> 00:30:04,000 That all members of the LGBTQ community are doing that. 533 00:30:05,567 --> 00:30:07,767 But it can be an issue. 534 00:30:09,767 --> 00:30:13,265 [Nate] I know that Brian was involved with people that were doing drugs. 535 00:30:13,266 --> 00:30:15,900 {\an8}I don't want people thinking that he was on drugs. 536 00:30:15,967 --> 00:30:18,966 {\an8}He was very adamant about not liking drugs, 537 00:30:18,967 --> 00:30:21,165 and he hated addiction. 538 00:30:21,166 --> 00:30:24,600 That's one of the reasons I was shocked to... find out he was putting up 539 00:30:24,667 --> 00:30:26,000 with somebody who was on drugs. 540 00:30:26,867 --> 00:30:28,867 But I think he was trying to "fix them." 541 00:30:32,100 --> 00:30:33,210 The priority of this interview with AJ 542 00:30:33,211 --> 00:30:34,000 The priority of this interview with AJ 543 00:30:34,767 --> 00:30:39,065 is to allow AJ to give me an accounting 544 00:30:39,066 --> 00:30:41,165 of his relationship with Brian. 545 00:30:41,166 --> 00:30:45,366 And the actions and activities of Brian 546 00:30:45,367 --> 00:30:47,667 around Christmas 2017. 547 00:30:48,867 --> 00:30:52,500 AJ describes his relationship with Brian as unbalanced. 548 00:30:52,567 --> 00:30:58,366 Specifically Brian wanted... a monogamous committed relationship, 549 00:30:58,367 --> 00:31:01,065 and AJ was not comfortable with that. 550 00:31:01,066 --> 00:31:03,210 And that was the conflict between them. 551 00:31:03,211 --> 00:31:04,000 And that was the conflict between them. 552 00:31:06,900 --> 00:31:10,165 AJ told me that on a specific morning, 553 00:31:10,166 --> 00:31:14,000 right after December 27th, that the two of them had been arguing... 554 00:31:16,066 --> 00:31:19,600 and the two of them had been the only two at home. 555 00:31:19,667 --> 00:31:23,466 And that Brian left on his own volition. 556 00:31:23,467 --> 00:31:26,500 And that was the last time he saw Brian alive. 557 00:31:29,867 --> 00:31:33,210 [Nate] In my opinion, AJ, he was not treating Brian right. 558 00:31:33,211 --> 00:31:33,500 [Nate] In my opinion, AJ, he was not treating Brian right. 559 00:31:33,567 --> 00:31:34,000 Brian would tell me that AJ had taken money out of his wallet and stuff. 560 00:31:37,166 --> 00:31:38,999 And we wouldn't really understand it, 561 00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:40,866 because Brian is the type of person, 562 00:31:40,867 --> 00:31:42,700 if you just ask him for money, he will give it to you. 563 00:31:44,367 --> 00:31:47,165 What really made, uh, made it hit home 564 00:31:47,166 --> 00:31:50,566 is when I found out about AJ giving away Brian's car. 565 00:31:50,567 --> 00:31:53,065 That scared me, when I found that out. 566 00:31:53,066 --> 00:31:57,065 [Nate] My understanding is that AJ was found with some of Brian's belongings. 567 00:31:57,066 --> 00:31:59,366 It certainly raises a lot of questions. 568 00:31:59,367 --> 00:32:03,210 There's a lot of social media chatter about AJ. 569 00:32:03,211 --> 00:32:04,000 There's a lot of social media chatter about AJ. 570 00:32:04,100 --> 00:32:06,767 But, you know, I was never able to verify... 571 00:32:07,900 --> 00:32:10,100 what their sources were. 572 00:32:10,166 --> 00:32:13,400 And there was really nothing that we could securely... 573 00:32:14,600 --> 00:32:16,766 report on. 574 00:32:16,767 --> 00:32:20,700 [Chuck] During my interview with AJ, what I went to discuss, 575 00:32:20,767 --> 00:32:25,099 him taking possession of Brian's property, 576 00:32:25,100 --> 00:32:30,265 AJ stated, Brian would want him to use those things. 577 00:32:30,266 --> 00:32:33,200 Their relationship allowed for that. 578 00:32:34,367 --> 00:32:36,100 There was no need for overt... 579 00:32:37,467 --> 00:32:39,700 conformation, authorization. 580 00:32:40,667 --> 00:32:42,967 It was just had understood between them. 581 00:32:44,400 --> 00:32:49,265 But he never makes any admissions that he committed theft, 582 00:32:49,266 --> 00:32:54,165 or that he had anything to do with the disappearance of Brian. 583 00:32:54,166 --> 00:32:58,466 But I felt like there were certain situations in this case, 584 00:32:58,467 --> 00:33:00,900 that I felt were untruthful. 585 00:33:00,967 --> 00:33:03,210 I never call a person a liar until I came them in a lie. 586 00:33:03,211 --> 00:33:04,000 I never call a person a liar until I came them in a lie. 587 00:33:04,467 --> 00:33:08,566 I did confront AJ with those points. 588 00:33:08,567 --> 00:33:12,099 The specification I prefer not to talk about at this point, 589 00:33:12,100 --> 00:33:14,666 because we're dealing with an open investigation. 590 00:33:14,667 --> 00:33:19,866 But I can say this that AJ did not put my mind to rest. 591 00:33:19,867 --> 00:33:23,800 It adds to more suspicion as to his behavior. 592 00:33:27,000 --> 00:33:31,100 But until Brian is located, alive or dead, 593 00:33:31,166 --> 00:33:33,210 I cannot eliminate the possibility 594 00:33:33,211 --> 00:33:34,000 I cannot eliminate the possibility 595 00:33:34,367 --> 00:33:38,300 of him being out there on his own volition. 596 00:33:38,367 --> 00:33:41,966 So I don't wanna throw too much accusation or dispersion 597 00:33:41,967 --> 00:33:44,900 until I rule that out. 598 00:33:44,967 --> 00:33:49,900 How do you rule out the fact that he's out there alive and well? 599 00:33:49,967 --> 00:33:51,433 You find the body. 600 00:33:53,700 --> 00:33:57,466 {\an8}[Ryan] So after Brian had been missing for around a year, 601 00:33:57,467 --> 00:33:58,700 {\an8}the reward went up. 602 00:33:58,767 --> 00:34:03,165 So it went from $5,000 to $10,000. 603 00:34:03,166 --> 00:34:03,209 {\an8}If anyone has any information about what happened 604 00:34:03,210 --> 00:34:04,000 {\an8}If anyone has any information about what happened 605 00:34:05,567 --> 00:34:07,700 {\an8}you're asked to call crime stoppers of Tampa Bay. 606 00:34:07,767 --> 00:34:11,000 {\an8}They are offering that $10,000 reward. 607 00:34:13,500 --> 00:34:16,866 [Chuck] Around April of 2019, 608 00:34:16,867 --> 00:34:19,766 I started receiving a series of tips 609 00:34:19,767 --> 00:34:23,066 that all seemed unconnected. 610 00:34:24,100 --> 00:34:27,366 The first calls that came in to FDLE, 611 00:34:27,367 --> 00:34:29,900 individuals wanted to remain anonymous. 612 00:34:29,967 --> 00:34:32,900 Then I started receiving the formal crime stopper tips. 613 00:34:34,767 --> 00:34:37,900 The tips indicated that 614 00:34:37,967 --> 00:34:39,500 Brian had been killed. 615 00:34:40,867 --> 00:34:43,567 And, or Brian was buried under concrete. 616 00:34:45,767 --> 00:34:50,800 I probably conducted 12 to 15 interviews related to these tips. 617 00:34:50,867 --> 00:34:55,099 And it led me to two searches 618 00:34:55,100 --> 00:34:59,800 of two different properties using cadaver dogs. 619 00:34:59,867 --> 00:35:03,210 Cadaver dogs are trained to pick up on the scent of human enzymes or human proteins. 620 00:35:03,211 --> 00:35:04,000 Cadaver dogs are trained to pick up on the scent of human enzymes or human proteins. 621 00:35:05,867 --> 00:35:08,800 They are an effective tool for law enforcement 622 00:35:08,867 --> 00:35:12,266 when you believe a body has been dumped, and, or buried. 623 00:35:14,800 --> 00:35:16,200 After completing the search, 624 00:35:16,266 --> 00:35:19,166 we came up with absolutely nothing. 625 00:35:20,767 --> 00:35:24,966 It's frustrating. None of the leads, none of the tips I've received 626 00:35:24,967 --> 00:35:26,667 have really come to any fruition. 627 00:35:30,300 --> 00:35:33,210 I would repost on Facebook explaining, 628 00:35:33,211 --> 00:35:34,000 I would repost on Facebook explaining, 629 00:35:34,567 --> 00:35:37,099 hey, you know, help us out here. 630 00:35:37,100 --> 00:35:39,900 The amount of rumors are, was just... 631 00:35:39,967 --> 00:35:43,466 I was drowning in false information 632 00:35:43,467 --> 00:35:46,666 because people were popping off about things that 633 00:35:46,667 --> 00:35:48,466 they clearly didn't know anything about. 634 00:35:48,467 --> 00:35:51,966 I'm like, those types of things are interfering with the real investigation. 635 00:35:51,967 --> 00:35:54,867 Let's... Let's get back to, where's Brian Klecha? 636 00:35:57,767 --> 00:36:00,866 [Chuck] As recently as September of 2021, 637 00:36:00,867 --> 00:36:03,210 we were notified by the county that they were looking at some unidentified remains. 638 00:36:03,211 --> 00:36:04,000 We were notified by the county that they were looking at some unidentified remains. 639 00:36:06,667 --> 00:36:09,700 FDLE has a flag out on Brian. 640 00:36:09,767 --> 00:36:13,200 Any time a body is located or recovered in the state of Florida, 641 00:36:13,266 --> 00:36:15,366 or the United States for that matter, 642 00:36:15,367 --> 00:36:17,800 we receive a notification that... 643 00:36:19,066 --> 00:36:21,866 the body was recovered and we look for similar details. 644 00:36:21,867 --> 00:36:24,165 [siren wailing] 645 00:36:24,166 --> 00:36:27,466 Though agent Massucci tells me a body has been discovered, 646 00:36:27,467 --> 00:36:29,566 it matches Brian's description. 647 00:36:29,567 --> 00:36:33,210 And I'm like, oh, my gosh, I am shocked! 648 00:36:33,211 --> 00:36:34,000 And I'm like, oh, my gosh, I am shocked! 649 00:36:34,867 --> 00:36:37,867 In my heart, I felt like, oh, they found Brian. 650 00:36:46,200 --> 00:36:48,566 {\an8}[Andrew] Sometime in the middle of 2021, 651 00:36:48,567 --> 00:36:52,367 {\an8}the police send me a confidential at the time... 652 00:36:53,467 --> 00:36:56,466 that a body has been discovered in a park. 653 00:36:56,467 --> 00:37:01,165 It matches basically Brian's description. 654 00:37:01,166 --> 00:37:03,999 Although the body was badly decomposed, 655 00:37:04,000 --> 00:37:06,266 the basic dimensions of the height... 656 00:37:07,367 --> 00:37:09,800 It was male, possibly Caucasian. 657 00:37:09,867 --> 00:37:11,448 They all seem to match. 658 00:37:11,449 --> 00:37:11,967 They all seem to match. 659 00:37:11,967 --> 00:37:12,000 And also, the time frame of when the body was discovered 660 00:37:15,166 --> 00:37:17,000 matches the window of when he went missing. 661 00:37:18,667 --> 00:37:20,266 DNA testing takes a long time apparently. 662 00:37:21,367 --> 00:37:23,700 So they asked if I could identify the clothing. 663 00:37:24,800 --> 00:37:30,265 So agent Massucci sends me pictures of clothing. 664 00:37:30,266 --> 00:37:35,966 And the clothes were the same brand that Brian was known to have in his closet. 665 00:37:35,967 --> 00:37:39,500 So in my heart, I, I felt like, oh, they found Brian. 666 00:37:49,567 --> 00:37:51,566 [Kathy] Probably over the last four years, 667 00:37:51,567 --> 00:37:53,866 I spent thousands of hours, 668 00:37:53,867 --> 00:37:58,165 you know, doing research and looking for Brian online, or information. 669 00:37:58,166 --> 00:38:01,265 {\an8}I was very frustrated, I was very angry. 670 00:38:01,266 --> 00:38:02,266 {\an8}Where is my kid? 671 00:38:04,266 --> 00:38:05,599 [Nate] It's hard 'cause 672 00:38:05,600 --> 00:38:09,165 {\an8}it seems like in Florida there's always bodies being found. 673 00:38:09,166 --> 00:38:11,448 {\an8}And you don't wanna get your hopes up. 674 00:38:11,449 --> 00:38:11,500 {\an8}And you don't wanna get your hopes up. 675 00:38:11,567 --> 00:38:12,000 {\an8}Because you don't wanna believe that he's gone. 676 00:38:13,867 --> 00:38:16,000 But on the same point you want closure. 677 00:38:18,400 --> 00:38:21,000 [Chuck] Once you get to this point of an investigation, 678 00:38:21,066 --> 00:38:25,265 {\an8}you're almost in a waiting position, you're waiting for things to come to you. 679 00:38:25,266 --> 00:38:31,065 And I will say this that Brian's mother has gone above and beyond 680 00:38:31,066 --> 00:38:35,300 to keep this case in the media, specifically social media. 681 00:38:36,367 --> 00:38:37,900 She's done a lot. 682 00:38:39,166 --> 00:38:41,448 [Kathy] My hope is that if I continue to send out these flyers, 683 00:38:41,449 --> 00:38:42,000 [Kathy] My hope is that if I continue to send out these flyers, 684 00:38:42,967 --> 00:38:44,400 it will get somebody's reaction. 685 00:38:44,467 --> 00:38:47,766 They will remember Brian's face, maybe see him. 686 00:38:47,767 --> 00:38:50,467 Call the police, and he will be found. 687 00:38:52,667 --> 00:38:56,367 [Ryan] So Brian has been missing for five years almost. 688 00:38:58,166 --> 00:39:01,966 Brian's story may not have gotten a lot of coverage for a number of reasons. 689 00:39:01,967 --> 00:39:06,165 {\an8}It could've been that he was a member of the LGBTQ community. 690 00:39:06,166 --> 00:39:08,666 {\an8}It could've been his socio-economic status. 691 00:39:08,667 --> 00:39:11,300 I think that knowledge is power. It's why I do what I do. 692 00:39:12,867 --> 00:39:18,300 It is always better to have more eyes and more ears on every story. 693 00:39:18,367 --> 00:39:20,800 It helps lead to answers. 694 00:39:20,867 --> 00:39:23,000 And answers can bring closure. 695 00:39:24,667 --> 00:39:27,466 [Chuck] Myself and FDLE 696 00:39:27,467 --> 00:39:30,000 are almost five years into this investigation. 697 00:39:31,066 --> 00:39:34,666 It's been difficult, it's been frustrating. 698 00:39:34,667 --> 00:39:39,266 But not nearly as difficult, frustrating and painful it has been for Brian's mother. 699 00:39:40,467 --> 00:39:41,449 She doesn't have a resolution, 700 00:39:41,449 --> 00:39:42,000 She doesn't have a resolution, 701 00:39:42,567 --> 00:39:47,265 doesn't have, I don't really like the word, but, let's use the word 'closure'. 702 00:39:47,266 --> 00:39:52,100 If Brian is out there, we would encourage him to come in. 703 00:39:52,166 --> 00:39:55,265 If someone is aware of Brian's presence, 704 00:39:55,266 --> 00:39:57,966 we would encourage them to come forward. 705 00:39:57,967 --> 00:40:00,100 If something bad happened to Brian... 706 00:40:01,867 --> 00:40:03,766 suicide or homicide, 707 00:40:03,767 --> 00:40:07,500 we would encourage anybody with knowledge to close the investigation, 708 00:40:08,367 --> 00:40:10,566 to bring some closure to the mother, 709 00:40:10,567 --> 00:40:11,449 just do the right thing. 710 00:40:11,449 --> 00:40:11,767 Just do the right thing. 711 00:40:12,767 --> 00:40:15,100 [Kathy] It's just been difficult. 712 00:40:15,166 --> 00:40:18,800 When you're own kid, when you're trying to... You just think... 713 00:40:18,867 --> 00:40:21,100 How could he not be here? 714 00:40:22,200 --> 00:40:26,265 I do believe that some kind of harm came to him, 715 00:40:26,266 --> 00:40:29,800 even though I wish and I pray, and I hope 716 00:40:29,867 --> 00:40:33,099 that it didn't. That I am so wrong. 717 00:40:33,100 --> 00:40:36,767 My opinion is, AJ knows what happened to my son. 718 00:40:39,800 --> 00:40:41,448 [Nate] About a year ago, I learned that AJ had moved to Puerto Rico. 719 00:40:41,449 --> 00:40:42,000 [Nate] About a year ago, I learned that AJ had moved to Puerto Rico. 720 00:40:45,266 --> 00:40:49,566 It infuriates me that AJ is just living scot-free right now in Puerto Rico. 721 00:40:49,567 --> 00:40:51,666 I feel that he knows something, 722 00:40:51,667 --> 00:40:54,999 and that he needs to be brought to justice. 723 00:40:55,000 --> 00:40:58,667 Even if he didn't do anything to Brian, I feel like he knows where Brian is. 724 00:41:00,967 --> 00:41:03,366 I'm still holding out hope. I... 725 00:41:03,367 --> 00:41:05,000 I don't wanna grieve yet. 726 00:41:05,066 --> 00:41:07,666 I, I... I wanna just hope that he ran away. 727 00:41:07,667 --> 00:41:10,400 'Cause I don't wanna admit that anything worse could've happened. 728 00:41:12,100 --> 00:41:16,100 It's an emotional roller-coaster, every time you hear anything like that. 729 00:41:18,900 --> 00:41:22,367 [Kathy] I do hold out hope that Brian is somewhere. 730 00:41:23,967 --> 00:41:26,767 And safe and healthy and happy. 731 00:41:27,867 --> 00:41:30,400 {\an8}But it's hope, it isn't based on evidence. 732 00:41:32,867 --> 00:41:35,566 {\an8}[Nate] I definitely feel like we're at a dead end 733 00:41:35,567 --> 00:41:37,900 {\an8}and somebody out there knows something. 734 00:41:39,567 --> 00:41:41,448 {\an8}If I could ask the viewers one thing, 735 00:41:41,449 --> 00:41:41,465 {\an8}If I could ask the viewers one thing, 736 00:41:41,466 --> 00:41:42,000 {\an8}I would really like them to be on the lookout for Brian, 737 00:41:44,467 --> 00:41:49,099 {\an8}and that if they know something, to please come forward. 738 00:41:49,100 --> 00:41:51,666 {\an8}I would really like to see him safe again. 739 00:41:51,667 --> 00:41:53,100 {\an8}We wanna bring Brian home.