Did anyone else catch this episode? Brian Barton moved to Seattle, WA with his bandmates from San Diego, CA to try to make it in the music scene there. He started having problems with his girlfriend, then abruptly decided to quit the band. Shortly thereafter, he disappeared. His girlfriend recounted a strange dream he had told her about involving an angel and death, and apparently this lended to a suicide theory. However, one of his bandmates engaged in some very suspect behaviors around the time of his disappearance and was questioned extensively. He maintains his innocence.

Brian's personal belongings were all found in his vehicle or apartment, and apparently the only thing missing was a bottle of Tylenol PM (the remaining pills, however, were not enough to overdose on).


If anyone else happened to see it, what do you think about it?


http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/b/barton_brian.html

I did watch it. It was pretty baffling but I tend to think he disappeared on purpose. The last person to see him was a counselor and at the end of the session he said he 'knew what he needed to do' and then leaves. Next thing his belongings are left behind. Sounds like he just wanted to escape. Maybe one of his thoughts were to find his birth mother but didn't follow through or couldn't find her (as they did mention he DID NOT contact her). Also he wasn't exactly thinking clearly. The big question is is he still out there or has he took his life or died as a result of foul play or being out in the elements.

I did watch it. It was pretty baffling but I tend to think he disappeared on purpose. The last person to see him was a counselor and at the end of the session he said he 'knew what he needed to do' and then leaves. Next thing his belongings are left behind. Sounds like he just wanted to escape. Maybe one of his thoughts were to find his birth mother but didn't follow through or couldn't find her (as they did mention he DID NOT contact her). Also he wasn't exactly thinking clearly. The big question is is he still out there or has he took his life or died as a result of foul play or being out in the elements.

I got that impression too, that he left voluntarily. I kept thinking of David Stone for some reason--life got heavy, and the guy decided it was time for a mental, emotional, and spiritual reform. I do tend to think Brian was suffering from some sort of emotional problem, or maybe some form of depression. I tend to think there's a good chance he may still be out there or he ran into trouble. I don't think he took his own life.

The bandmate who was suspected of killing him--I never really had the impression he was involved at all. I mean, people have been fooled and manipulated before, but his interview seemed very relaxed, and he seemed like a pretty normal guy to me--even with the Myspace posting. We live in a violent culture obsessed with social network and messaging outlets (look at what I'm doing right now), so I find nothing particularly shocking about it, unfortunately.

The band mate with the shotgun on Facebook looked pretty menacing, but seemed quite "normal" and concerned on camera. As was mentioned on the show, the band broke-up after this whole fiasco began due to suspicions some had of other members. I get the feeling we didn't get the whole story about the dynamics between band members. The investigator said that she noticed that the band members were all scared of the one member (the one with the shotgun photos) and would glance over at him before they answered any of her questions regarding the broken screen door.

At first I thought this disappearance was a result of some sort of mental breakdown (seeing angels and wanting to "join the army" against evil), but after seeing the screen door and the comments from the investigator, I am not so sure it was a voluntary disappearance. At the same time, however, a broken screen door proves nothing and the band members all seemed quite concerned about Brian on camera. That is, if they're guilty they are pretty good actors. I think if a band member is guilty, it is doubtful he let the others in on the crime. I think it would be pretty hard for all of them to keep quiet and go along with the plan.

If Brian did walk away, I think he could be in big trouble considering his mental state.

I think it's worth pointing out that Brian Barton is/was 6'4'' tall. Someone of that height stands out like a sore thumb. It'd be difficult for him to blend in with ease.

The fact that his wallet and truck were at his house seems very ominous. It's also strange that he left a large sum of money behind. ($800 IIRC) Obviously it helps to have a driver's license and money on the road.

I'd like to know if there have been any sightings of Brian Barton. It makes all the difference. From all the evidence shown on Disappeared, I'm inclined to think he's most likely deceased...

I concur with Thiussat: I think if he's alive, he might be suffering greatly given his mental state. Perhaps I'm leaning towards making a mountain out of a molehill, but it bothers me that it appears Brian might have taken that bottle of Tylenol PM. Sometimes those suffering from mood or personality disorders will self-medicate, not realizing the symptom(s) of their illnesses are actually manifestations of the disease rather than isolated aggravations (insomnia, for example).

His height is definitely worth noting. I think, maybe, that he might stand a better chance, however, of going unnoticed in a big metropolitan area like Seattle or his native San Diego.

The band member's truck being found destroyed at the junkyard days after Bartons' disappearance is interesting.



The fact that his wallet and truck were at his house seems very ominous.

The way it sounds, one of Bartons' roommates had possession of both the license and his cell phone. No mention of why he hadn't notified police or Barton's family of the discovery:

http://www.thevillagenews.com/story/47952

On approximately May 19 it was discovered that Barton’s roommate had Barton’s driver’s license and was using his cell phone, she said.


I was only able to see the first few minutes of the show -- were any of the band members Barton's roommates as well?

I was only able to see the first few minutes of the show -- were any of the band members Barton's roommates as well?

From what I recall from the episode, at least one of the band members lived with Barton and his girlfriend for a short period of time, but I don't remember exactly which individual this.

I think if he was suffering mentally, he might be one of the millions wandering the streets, living under bridges, etc. Where does everyone think these people come from? They had homes and lives and parents. Most of them are suffering from mental illnesses.
I think something similar happened with Jeremy Alex, but that his was cocaine induced mental psychosis.
Everyone has a 1% chance of getting a mental illness. I've talked with someone else who was in a band and wondered why 1 of his band mates was acting very peculiar. Now, 20 years have passed and he just found out that the guy had/has schizophrenia. Luckily, his family found out something wasn't right before he could go missing.
Also, teens with schizophrenia have a 50% chance of committing suicide. Schizophrenia seems to me like it would be like abusing LSD permanently with no rest. Voices talking to you through tv's or through speakers while you're shopping. Hearing things or noises that aren't real. Thinking people are talking badly about you or are out to harm you.
How do you sleep with this going on?
I'd rather have cancer than this. The stigma alone is crushing. At least, most people feel comfortable talking about cancer. And cancer seems to be more easier to treat.
I feel very sorry that the families have no peace. I hope their loved one turns up after getting some help from someone kind on the streets.
If not, that they have closure soon.

Did anyone notice that on The Charley Project, it mentions that a few weeks after his disappearance, a fellow band member of Brian's (name not disclosed) had his 1976 Ford truck completely destroyed in a local junkyard? Very interesting that this was not brought up on the air. The police could not find any clues in the remains of the truck which isn't hard to believe considering it was basically destroyed.

I lean towards he disappeared on his own accord, but am not comfortable with saying I completely believe that.

But I do lean volunatary disappearance for these reasons:

1) He had just broken up with his girlfriend and quit the band. I think this was his way of tying up loose ends. He had even told the band members that he didn't want any contact with any of them, so I think he wanted to get away and not be found. It was stated that he tried to cause a rift between the band and his girlfriend and I think he was trying to sever all contact with the band so that they wouldn't look for him when he disappeared.

2) The girlfriend and the 2 band members that were suspected all passed polygraphs. Additionally, a search of various areas where they lived turned up no evidence. They also seemed generally easy-going in the interviews, the girlfriend was even in tears. Although the one bandmate did appear pretty evil in some of those photographs, he may have just been blowing off steam.

3) I don't know what possible motive anyone could have had. The theory was brought up that the band members were outraged that he quit, but I've never heard of anyone being killed over quitting a band before. The lead singer said they were trying to figure out what to do in terms of replacing him.

One thing I'm confused on: the segment indicates the last person to see him alive was the psychologist or psychiatrist that evaluated him, but the CP page says he was last seen at his apartment. I'm curious to know which is true and might help shed some light on the subject.

Brian Barton's remains were found in late July.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article164873697.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/remains-missing-punk-rocker-seattle_us_598381a3e4b08b75dcc5ec1d