The Murder of Brian Geddes
For this case, I watched an episode of Snapped. It’s season 14 episode 7.
A self-made millionaire disappears from his home.
Background
In the 1980s, Brian used a $600 unemployment check to buy a used car. He learned to fix up cars and sell them for a profit. He also got into real estate, and purchased a riverfront home of his own on the Boise River. Brian was also a father, and was close to his adult children.
Brian Geddes
The House Guest
On November 2, 2012, Brian’s daughter, Meghan Go, contacted the Garden City, Idaho police. Meghan hadn’t heard from her dad in several weeks, and had last reached out to him on his 50th birthday.
Meghan had received several text messages from Brian’s phone, but didn’t believe they were from him. Meghan said Brian had told her that he was in Jackpot, Nevada to celebrate his birthday. This was also a red flag, as Brian didn’t gamble or like to spend his hard earned money.
Shortly before Meghan contacted the police, she and her brother went over to Brian’s house. A woman named Jordan was inside, along with several of her friends. Meghan recognized Jordan as the same girl that Brian had met, and let stay with him for a short time.
Jordan’s Life
Jordan Shaver had grown up very poor, and referred to herself as trailer trash. Jordan became very rebellious, but after graduating from high school, she seemed to change.
In September 2012, Jordan reconnected with a former classmate named Burke Gamblin. Burke was the opposite of Jordan, and had grown up in a wealthier family.
Burke said he received a message from Jordan asking to meet up. Burke said they became inseparable and began dating. Burke said Jordan had told him that she was working as a loan officer and had purchased a new house.
By October 2012, Burke and Jordan were getting serious. Jordan even let Burke come to her house. Burke said that he would ask her why they hadn’t hung out there before. Jordan would say that her mom had chemo, and she didn’t want him to see her like that. Burke said he started to believe Jordan didn’t actually have a house, but didn’t want to press her on it.
The house was a riverfront house, had a nice deck, a hot tub, and had expensive furniture. The house also had several cars parked outside, including a Hummer and a boat.
Burke’s first thought was where all of this money was coming from. Jordan said her father was back in her life, and was a millionaire. Jordan also said her job also paid well.
Jordan’s new house became party central. Burke said Jordan was always paying for alcohol, food, weed and ecstasy. Burke started to believe that Jordan was a porn star, and was afraid to tell him.
The Confrontation
Burke said one day he saw the elderly couple that lived next door. He said he wanted to introduce himself. The elderly woman asked him where Brian was. Burke told her that Brian must be the man that sold Jordan the house. The woman told Burke that was the story that Jordan gave them too, but they didn’t believe her. Burke said he mentioned it to Jordan, but she claimed the older couple had Alzheimer’s.
On November 2, Jordan and Burke were out, but their friends were hanging out at the house. Brian’s son arrived, and asked why they were in his dad’s house. The friends were stunned, but Jordan arrived a few minutes later.
Jordan told Brian’s son that his dad was in Nevada. When Brian’s son left, Jordan was freaking out, and told her friends that she was worried he would go to the police.
Meghan said she received a call from her brother, so she decided to go the house herself. The house was completely trashed, which was unusual because Brian kept it so clean. Meghan said she knocked on the door, but Jordan answered.
Meghan had seen Jordan with her dad in August. Brian had told her that he met Jordan on the walking trail behind his house. That same night, Jordan had shown up at his doorstep claiming that her abusive boyfriend had kicked her out. Meghan told her dad to stay away from someone so young. Brian told her not to worry, and that he was just helping her out.
Changing Stories
Meghan said she kept asking Jordan where Brian was. Jordan’s demeanor changed from being confrontational to panicked. Jordan ran out of the house, so Meghan called the police, and waited for them to arrive.
When the police arrived, they taped off the house, and waited for more evidence to suggest Brian hadn’t left on his own.
The police called several casinos and hospitals in Jackpot, but it was a dead end. A trace of Brian’s cell phone led the police to a Walmart near Brian’s house. Jordan had been in possession of his phone, and was hiding in a car when the police arrived. Jordan wasn’t arrested, but went down to the station to answer some questions.
Jordan’s first story was that Brian was afraid of some drug dealers due to a bad drug deal. Jordan also claimed that the drug dealer had shown up at Brian’s house, and held a gun to her head. Jordan said the drug dealer had threatened to kill her family and friends. The police didn’t know why if that was true, Jordan continued to stay in the house if the drug dealer had been there.
The police asked Burke if he would go into the interrogation room to try to get some answers from Jordan. Jordan started crying, and said she would tell them what had happened.
Jordan said on October 16, 2012, she and Brian were in his bedroom. Jordan said she was giving Brian a massage, and they were talking about a gun that she had purchased. Jordan said she had handed Brian the gun to look at. Brian said it was fine, and he was handing the gun back to her when it went off. Brian had been shot in the back of the head.
Jordan freaked out, but instead of calling the police she went on a shopping spree at Walmart. The same Walmart she would later be picked up at. Jordan bought makeup, clothes, and a tarp.
When she returned to the house, Jordan wrapped Brian’s body in the tarp, and slide it in the crawlspace under the home. There was also some blood still found on the bed that had soaked through the mattress. Jordan and Burke had slept in that bed after Brian disappeared. The gun was also found underneath the bed.
The Plea Deal
On December 18, 2013, Jordan went on trial. She was originally charged with first degree murder, but took a plea deal for second degree murder. Brian’s family accepted the plea deal because they didn’t want Jordan to get a lesser sentence.
Jordan had buried Brian under his dream house, lived in it for 3 weeks, threw parties, and drove his vehicles. Jordan had always wanted to fit in with her wealthier classmates. She had told Burke that she owned a house a month before she killed Brian.
Jordan was sentenced to life in prison, and is eligible for parole in 2032.
Jordan Shaver
FINAL THOUGHTS
I just don’t believe the accidental shooting story. Jordan has told so many stories to everyone. Jordan wanted to be wealthy, and it seems like she either met Brian accidentally, or was scouting the area for a wealthy person. She claims she’s sorry, but no one will actually know if she's telling the truth. My heart goes out to Meghan, Brian’s son, and the rest of Brian’s family.
Sources
https://murderpedia.org/female.S/s/shaver-jordan.htm
https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2012/12/idaho_woman_who_allegedly_hid.html
