Brian Shaffer disappeared on April 1, 2006 from the Ugly Tuna Saloona, located near the Ohio State campus.

Shaffer, a second-year medical student at Ohio State, went to the bar to celebrate the beginning of spring break with several of his friends when he disappeared.

SLIDESHOW: Search For Brian Shaffer

Last month, Shaffer's father, Randy Shaffer, died when a tree fell on him outside his home. Three days after his death, someone posted a message on Web site in memory of Randy Shaffer that read, "Dad, I love you, Brian," from the U.S. Virgin Islands, 10TV News reported.

Investigators have contacted island police in an effort to learn whether the message was a prank, or a legitimate message from Brian Shaffer.

The process of pinpointing the message sender could take several weeks.

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Previous Stories:

Sept. 15, 2008: Father Of Missing Ohio State Student Killed In Storm
April 2, 2008:  Two Year Later, Missing Man's Girlfriend Balancing Life
March 29, 2008:  Vigil For Missing OSU Student

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