The Disappearance

On the night of November 30, 2018, 23-year-old Brittany Wallace Shank crashed her vehicle on Fawn River Road near Sturgis, Michigan. She left the scene barefoot and injured, knocking on doors for help at two nearby homes. A teenager saw her through a window. Then she vanished. She has not been seen or heard from since.

Cadaver Dog Search

In April 2022, investigators conducted a cadaver dog search of a Sturgis property as part of the ongoing effort to locate Brittany. The search was one of several attempts to rule out possible locations in the area surrounding Fawn River Road.

Hide and Seek Season 3

The true-crime podcast Hide and Seek released Season 3, a multi-episode series devoted entirely to Brittany's case. Host James Baysinger traced the events of November 30, 2018, spoke with family members, and examined the early investigation, bringing national attention to a case that had begun to fade from headlines.

The Sketch Is Drawn

In April 2023, investigators worked with a witness to develop a composite sketch of the unidentified male last seen with Brittany. The sketch depicted a white male in his early-to-mid 20s, 5'6" to 5'8", with short blonde hair and distinctive mutton-chop sideburns. It would not be released publicly until October 2024.

A Podcaster Steps Into the Void

In March 2023, the Sturgis Journal published a revealing interview with James Baysinger, host of the true-crime podcast Hide and Seek. Baysinger had spent months independently investigating Brittany's case, interviewing family members, friends, and potential suspects. His reporting uncovered troubling details: social media accounts linked to the case had been tampered with, and certain individuals had been less than forthcoming with law enforcement.

The podcast—Season 3, a 40-episode deep dive—became a turning point for public awareness. It introduced Brittany's story to a national audience and, according to family members, generated tips that investigators had not previously received. For a case that had begun to slip from headlines, Hide and Seek dragged it back into the light.

The Evidence Breakthrough

On October 7, 2024, the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office made a decision that cracked the case open for the public: they released two critical pieces of evidence that had been held back for nearly six years.

The 911 Call

At approximately 8:51 PM on November 30, 2018, an elderly neighbor on Fawn River Road called 911 after Brittany appeared at his back door—barefoot, bleeding, and terrified. The four-minute audio captures Brittany's voice in the background, briefly confirming the emergency location before she flees the residence. It is the last time her voice was ever recorded.

The Police Sketch

Alongside the audio, authorities released a composite sketch of the unidentified male last seen with Brittany. Drawn in April 2023 from a relative's recollection, the sketch depicts a white male in his early-to-mid 20s, 5'6" to 5'8", with short blonde hair and distinctive mutton-chop sideburns. This man has never been identified. He has never come forward. No missing person report was ever filed for him.

Composite sketch released by the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office

The release was covered by multiple outlets across West Michigan, but the substance was the same: for the first time, the public had both a voice and a face to search for.

Federal Resources Join the Search

In September 2025, newly elected St. Joseph County Sheriff Chad Spence made a pivotal move: he brought additional federal resources into the case to assist with database name searches and audio/video enhancement—tools that local law enforcement simply did not have.

Brittany Wallace Shank missing person flyer

Sheriff Spence also assigned two additional detectives to the case, giving it fresh eyes after years of stagnation. For Brittany's father, Greg Wallace, the move restored a confidence that had been eroded by years of poor communication and dead ends.

That same month, the Hide and Seek podcast released a bonus episode revisiting the case on its seven-year anniversary, reconnecting with family members and assessing what had changed—and what hadn't.

New Technology, New Leads, Same Determination

As the seventh anniversary of Brittany's disappearance approached, investigators announced they were following new leads and deploying newer aerial technology—described as an "area platform"—to gain a different perspective on the terrain around Fawn River Road. Additional ground searches were planned.

The community responded in its own way: local property owners near the last known location dedicated a portion of their land as a memorial garden in Brittany's honor. Her family held their annual vigil on November 30th, as they have every year since 2018.

What We Know, What We Don't, and What Comes Next

Brittany's case is defined by a brutal economy of facts. We know she was last seen on Fawn River Road between 8:51 PM and 9:00 PM on November 30, 2018. We know she was barefoot, injured, and afraid. We know she knocked on two doors seeking help. We know a teenager saw her through a window. And then—nothing.

We do not know the name of the man she was with. We do not know if she got into a vehicle, was taken against her will, or wandered into the fields. We do not know if she is alive or dead. After seven years, no remains have been found. No arrests have been made.

But what has changed is the intensity of the investigation. Additional federal resources are now involved. New detectives are assigned. New technology is being deployed. The 911 call is public. The sketch is public. And a national podcast audience continues to ask questions.