Brandon Stott: Beloved Bartender, Veteran, and Anoka Community Pillar Missing Since April 8—Friends, Family, and Entire Town Desperately Seek Answers Amid Growing Fears
ANOKA, MN – Brandon Stott, a 34-year-old bartender, U.S. Army veteran, and treasured figure in the tight-knit Anoka community, has been missing since the evening of Tuesday, April 8, 2025. As of today, Friday, April 11, he has not been seen or heard from in over 72 hours. With every hour that passes, concern among his friends, co-workers, loved ones, and neighbors has grown more intense, and the sense of urgency has reached critical levels.
Brandon, who was scheduled to begin his regular evening shift at 201 Tavern, a popular watering hole in downtown Anoka, never showed up for work that Tuesday night. According to multiple co-workers and regulars at the tavern, this was entirely out of character for him. Known for being reliable, punctual, and genuinely dedicated to his work, Brandon had not missed a shift in years without advance notice—especially not during the bustling mid-week evenings, when the bar sees a surge of patrons.
“Brandon isn’t the kind of guy to just disappear,” said Emily Raasch, a longtime friend and fellow bartender. “He’s always there for everyone. If something was wrong, he would have let someone know.”
Timeline of Disappearance
- Tuesday, April 8 | 7:00 PM: Brandon was last seen near his apartment in Anoka, just a short walk away from 201 Tavern. According to a neighbor, he was wearing dark jeans, a gray hoodie, and a black cap—the same clothes he typically wore to work. He mentioned that he was heading to the bar for his shift.
- Wednesday, April 9 | Morning: Co-workers and friends became concerned when Brandon failed to show up for work the night before. They began calling him throughout the day, but all calls went straight to voicemail.
- Thursday, April 10 | Morning: After still receiving no response and with Brandon missing a second shift at the tavern, his friends filed a missing persons report with the Anoka Police Department. Authorities conducted a welfare check at Brandon’s apartment.
- Thursday, April 10 | Noon: During the welfare check, police noted no signs of forced entry or struggle. Brandon’s shoes were found inside, along with a jacket he often wore. His wallet and keys were reportedly missing. His cell phone remains powered off and unrecoverable by GPS tracking.
No Car, No Phone, No Footage
One of the most perplexing aspects of Brandon’s disappearance is the logistical impossibility of it all: Brandon does not own a vehicle. He typically either walked or got rides from friends to and from work. He was well-known in the area, often seen chatting with regulars on the sidewalks or waving to neighbors on his way to the tavern. There’s no record of him hailing a cab, using a rideshare app, or taking public transportation that evening.
The community has poured over surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residential security systems, but so far, no video has surfaced showing Brandon after 7 p.m. on April 8. Several neighbors and local shop owners have voluntarily turned over hours of video in the hope of spotting something—anything—that might provide a lead.
Family and Friends Sound the Alarm
For those who know and love Brandon, the emotional toll has been devastating. His cousin, Kara Stott, who describes Brandon as more of a brother than a cousin, has spearheaded a volunteer-led search effort.
“We’re doing everything we can,” she said at a community meeting Thursday night at the Anoka American Legion. “We’re posting flyers, canvassing neighborhoods, calling every hospital and shelter we can think of. The hardest part is not knowing. The silence is unbearable.”
Brandon’s chosen family—his friends, co-workers, and fellow veterans—echo Kara’s grief and determination. Many have taken time off work to help with the search. Others have mobilized community groups, including the Anoka Veterans’ Council and local churches, to spread awareness.
Mental Health Concerns Raise Alarms
Brandon’s close friends have shared that he had been struggling with his mental health in recent months. Though generally known as warm, jovial, and caring, those closest to him have noticed changes in his demeanor—quiet withdrawals, mood swings, and occasional mentions of feeling overwhelmed.
“We were worried,” said Leo Christensen, one of Brandon’s former Army buddies. “He wouldn’t always talk about it, but we could tell something was eating at him. And now… now we’re scared that he’s out there alone, hurting.”
This concern adds a distressing layer to the mystery. Without access to his phone and with limited digital footprints—Brandon does not use social media and rarely sends texts—his friends are left with little to go on. The fear that he may be in danger or have harmed himself looms large over the community.
Veteran, Bartender, Friend to All
To understand the depth of this search effort, one must understand who Brandon is. Born and raised in Minnesota, Brandon joined the U.S. Army at the age of 19 and served two tours overseas. Upon returning home, he settled in Anoka, where he found solace and purpose behind the bar at 201 Tavern—a place he described as “his second home.”
He quickly became a fixture in the community. Patrons remember him not just for his exceptional service, but for his listening ear and kind heart. Whether someone needed a friend, a shoulder to cry on, or just a drink and a laugh, Brandon was always there.
“He would remember your drink, your dog’s name, and your birthday,” said Tom Weller, a longtime patron of 201 Tavern. “He made everyone feel like family.”
Brandon’s military background also made him a strong advocate for fellow veterans. He helped organize fundraisers, attended PTSD awareness events, and often spent his own money to help vets in need.
“He’s one of the good ones,” said Angela Roby, director of a local veterans’ outreach center. “We need him back.”
The Search Effort: Growing Every Day
As of Friday, more than 75 volunteers have joined daily search teams that are combing parks, riverbanks, alleyways, and wooded areas around Anoka. Several people have been seen searching the Mississippi River trail near the Rum River Dam—an area Brandon was known to frequent during walks to clear his mind.
Flyers bearing Brandon’s image and description have been posted throughout Anoka and surrounding towns, as well as shared across Facebook groups, Nextdoor, and Reddit forums.
The flyer reads:
MISSING PERSON: BRANDON STOTT
Last Seen: Tuesday, April 8, 7:00 PM near Main Street, Anoka
Age: 34
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 190 lbs
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Hazel
Clothing: Gray hoodie, black cap, dark jeans
No vehicle, no phone activity since 4/8If seen, please contact Anoka Police: (763) 576-2800
Law Enforcement’s Role
Anoka Police Department has confirmed that Brandon has been entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) and that the case is now officially considered a high-priority missing persons investigation. Detective Samira Holt, who leads the case, has called for any and all leads—no matter how small.
“We understand the fear and frustration this community is feeling,” she said during a press briefing. “We are doing everything within our power to locate Mr. Stott. We encourage anyone who saw something unusual that evening—perhaps someone walking alone, someone who looked confused or distressed—to come forward.”
Speculation and Rumors
As with any prolonged disappearance, rumors have begun to circulate. Some speculate Brandon may have left town voluntarily, though those close to him vehemently deny this. He had no known plans to travel, had recently restocked his fridge, and had confirmed his upcoming work schedule for the week.
Others have pointed to the river as a place of concern. While no evidence currently suggests foul play or self-harm, the area is being searched regularly by drone surveillance, boats, and sonar where accessible.
Detectives have not ruled out any possibilities, including the potential for abduction or accident, though no evidence of struggle was found at his residence.
The Community Rallies
On Thursday night, a candlelight vigil was held outside 201 Tavern. More than 200 people gathered, many holding signs, candles, or photos of Brandon. Tearful testimonies were given by co-workers and customers alike.
“It’s surreal,” said Kelsey Tran, one of Brandon’s regular customers and a friend. “You walk into the bar and expect to see him there. It feels wrong without him.”
Prayer groups have been organized at St. Stephen’s Church. Restaurants and shops throughout Anoka have posted signs in their windows. A GoFundMe to support ongoing search efforts and to help cover expenses for any needed private investigations has raised over $12,000 in less than 48 hours.
Hope, Despite the Silence
Despite the pain, Brandon’s loved ones remain committed to hope. They speak of him in the present tense. They believe he is still out there.
“Hope is the only thing keeping us going
