During a chilly foggy night on November 30th, 2018, 23-year-old Brittany Nichole Shank vanished without a trace, leaving behind a community puzzled and a family heartbroken. Her story is one of struggle, hope, and unanswered questions that continue to haunt those who knew her.
Brittany was a young woman trying to find her footing in life. At just 23, she was already a mother of four. Even though her children were no longer in her custody, she was actively working to remain a part of their lives. This shows she loved them and was trying to do better. Brittany was also striving for personal growth, seeking a second job and working towards sobriety.
A Complicated Past
Life hadn’t been easy for Brittany. Her relationships were often tumultuous, and she had been married multiple times. Her choice in partners, which were usually “bad boys” had led to complications in her life. Yet, through it all, Brittany maintained a unique sense of self, expressing herself through an edgy style, complete with dyed hair, multiple piercings, and distinctive tattoos.
Sadly because of her going from one relationship to the next often, and being in less ideal situations with these people, it made things difficult for law enforcement and her family to accurately come up with a comprehensive list of people in her circle.
The Night of the Disappearance
On the night of November 30, 2018, Brittany’s life took a dramatic turn. Driving her boyfriend’s car through the foggy roads of Sturgis, Michigan, she crashed on Fawn River Road. What happened next is a mystery that has baffled investigators for years.
Right before 9 pm, Brittany was last seen on the 33000 block of Fawn River Road with an unidentified man who was in his early to mid-twenties and between 5’6 to 5’8 inches tall. He was described as having short blonde hair and mutton-chop sideburns. His role in what happened to her remains unclear. According to reports she was seen running her boyfriend’s car off the road because the fog was so thick in that area.
Cell phone records show Brittany tried repeatedly to call her grandmother and the police, but poor reception prevented the calls from connecting.
Witnesses reported seeing Brittany walking barefoot from house to house, seemingly disoriented and seeking help. One kind resident even gave her a green army jacket to keep warm. The witness stated that she was bleeding on her arms and feet. The homeowner attempted to call the police but the cell reception was bad, so when they tried to find better reception in their home to successfully contact the authorities they noticed Brittany was gone and had disappeared into the night.
The last ping on her cell phone was near the intersection of Watt Road and Fawn River Road in Sturgis, MI
The circumstances surrounding Brittany’s disappearance are as foggy as the night she vanished.
Brittany’s mother, Jessica gathered people together in a small search team to look for her where her cell phone last pinged. Another search was conducted on December 23rd by The Venus Foundation. In March of 2020 an aerial search was conducted by the owner of Kalamazoo Flight Instruction and missing person advocate, Kellie Boers.
Renewed Interest and Hope
Brittany’s case has recently gained renewed interest thanks to the “Hide and Seek” podcast hosted by James Baysinger. Baysinger believes the community has let Brittany’s case fade from memory, and he’s determined to change that. He aims to untangle the web of theories and suspects surrounding Brittany’s disappearance through his podcast.
A Mother’s Promise
As we reflect on Brittany’s story, we’re reminded of a young woman who, despite her struggles, was trying to turn her life around. A mother who loved her children. A daughter whose mother still searches for her, vowing,
“I’m gonna find you no matter what. I promise,” stated Brittany’s mother Jessica
How You Can Help
Brittany is described as a white female who stands 5'1 inches tall and weighs 110lbs, she has brown hair and would be 29 years old. Her case remains open, with Michigan State Police leading the investigation. If you have any information about Brittany’s disappearance, please call 1–855-MICH-TIP or file a report online at Michigan.gov/MICHTIP. Every piece of information, no matter how small, could be the key to solving this haunting mystery and bringing closure to Brittany’s family.
This article was one I wrote on my blog called Curiosity Chronicles- I am going to post a link to that article below. I wanted to get her story out there.
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