Ep 16. Just a Nice Guy

In the season 5 episode 16 of Disappeared, titled "Just a Nice Guy," viewers are taken on a journey to uncover the mystery surrounding the sudden disappearance of 27-year-old Brian Burns. The episode begins with a brief background on Brian's life, highlighting his friendly and outgoing personality that made him well-liked by all who knew him.

Brian was last seen on September 22, 2008, leaving his apartment in Knoxville, Tennessee, to go to work at an insurance company where he was a claims adjuster. He never arrived at work that day, and his family and friends grew increasingly worried when they could not get in touch with him. Brian's car was later found in the parking lot of a nearby apartment complex with no apparent signs of foul play.

The episode showcases the efforts of the police and Brian's family to piece together the events leading up to his disappearance. Interviews with Brian's coworkers and friends reveal that he was a hard-working and responsible individual who had no history of mental illness or drug use. He had been dating a woman named Hannah McNiece for a few months, and his family and friends describe her as a nice person who seemed to genuinely care about Brian.

However, as the investigation continues, it is revealed that Hannah had a dark secret that she had been hiding from Brian. She was addicted to prescription drugs and had been buying them from a doctor who was later convicted of illegally prescribing them. Hannah's addiction had been spiraling out of control, and she was in debt to several dealers.

The police found evidence linking Hannah to the last known sighting of Brian. She was captured on surveillance footage at a Walmart buying bleach and cleaning supplies just hours after he went missing. The footage also shows Hannah withdrawing money from Brian's account using his debit card.

Despite the mounting evidence against her, Hannah denied any involvement in Brian's disappearance. She claimed that she had not seen him in days and that she had no idea where he could be. However, the authorities were able to piece together a timeline of events that painted a different picture.

A search warrant was executed on Hannah's home, which revealed a bloodstain that was later matched to Brian's DNA. Hannah was ultimately arrested and charged with first-degree murder, and in April 2011, she was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

The episode ends with a poignant tribute to Brian, highlighting the impact he had on those who knew him and the devastating loss his family has had to endure. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of being cautious about whom we let into our lives and the hidden dangers that can lurk beneath the surface.