07/08/07: Brian Sullivan, 19, Gates, NY

Brian Sullivan's case has likely been solved. A reward is being offered for information leading to his remains. See details below.

Brian Sullivan - Gates, NY
Last seen 7/8/07

Brian W. Sullivan, 19, was last seen at 5:48 am on July 8, 2007 buying breakfast at the Burger King drive-thru window on Chili Ave in Gates, NY.
At 6:10 a.m., "Sully" as he was sometimes known, left a voicemail message for a friend. It was the last time Sullivan was heard from.

Later that day, Sullivan's vehicle, a red 1995 Pontiac Sunfire with New York registration DXU 3048, was found in front of a 100–acre wooded area on nearby Lettington Avenue. A Burger King receipt, stamped at 5:48 a.m., and wrappers were found inside the car, along with Sullivan's cell phone charger and bank card. There were no signs of foul play in or around the car.

Sullivan graduated from Churchville-Chili High School. At the time of his disappearance, he was a student at Monroe Community College. He was considering a career in social work or the music industry and had just ordered hundreds of dollars of sound mixing equipment and was weighing his options.

While Sullivan was unemployed, his family says he was not facing any personal problems and was looking toward the future. The night before he disappeared, he watched a movie at a friend's house and he was looking forward to a big family dinner on 7/8 with his favorite food--ribs. He had also just learned that his sister was expecting a baby and Brian was he was thrilled and excited to be an uncle.

Update 2016: Confidential informants have told investigators that Brian had been stabbed by a male who frequented the Chili Avenue area. The suspect, Derrick Murray, allegedly told acquaintances that Murray stabbed Sullivan several times. Investigators learned through other sources that Murray allegedly enlisted the help of his family to hide Brian's body and car. Murray told one source, "they will never find him if I don't tell them." Murray died of natural causes in 2016 just as police were closing in. 

Update 2024: Law enforcement is still focused on finding Sullivan's remains. In January 2024, investigator Philip Trubia of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said that a Murray family member may have information that could lead to Sullivan's remains--and closure for the family. (Kucko, 2024). 

 The Sullivan family told RochesterFirst.com:

“It’s time for those that do know to give us some peace,” said Barbara Sullivan, Brian’s mother, “We want to bring all of Brian home. Not just bits and pieces. There’s a family that knows. And they should do the right thing,” she said. 

 The Sullivan family is offering a reward for information that leads to Brian Sullivan's remains. Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 585-753-4900.

Case Details
Name/age: Brian Sullivan
Age at Disappearance: 19 yrs.
Date of Birth: 12/05/87
Last seen: 07/07/07, Gates, NY
Residence: Churchville, NY
Physical description: White male, 5'11," 170 pounds, black hair, blue eyes, full beard
Last seen wearing: wearing blue jean shorts, a blue pinstriped button down long sleeve shirt, flip flops and a green baseball cap.
Notes: According to NamUs, he may be using the name Chuck or Charles Briswold.
Links: MySpace, Help Find Brian Sullivan, NamUs
Investigating Police Agency: Monroe County Sheriff, (585) 753-4177, nysvicap@troopers.state.ny.us (e-mail)


Sources

Kucko, Natalie. 2024, Jan 24. Family of Brian Sullivan continues to seek closure after nearly 17 years. https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/family-of-brian-sullivan-continues-to-seek-closure-after-nearly-17-years/. Retrieved 04 July 2024.

Molloy, Matt. 2017 Oct 24. The Untold Story of the Brian Sullivan Murder. https://13wham.com/news/special-reports/the-untold-story-of-brian-sullivans-murder. Retrieved 7 June 2019.

Published 3/2/11. Last updated: 07/4/2024.