Sixty-five-year-old Brian Egg was a San Francisco native who had lived in the city for much of his life. He worked for years as a bartender at The Stud, a legendary gay bar in the South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood known for its role in the city’s LGBTQ+ scene. Neighbors described him as a quiet, friendly, somewhat eccentric “curmudgeon” who was a fixture in the community. He regularly walked his dog, tended to plants in the neighborhood, and had owned his home on Clara Street since 1976. Brian was known for his kindness, including occasionally allowing homeless individuals to stay at his residence.
Brian was last seen in his South of Market neighborhood in late May or early June 2018. Communication with his family dwindled during this period; his brother, Devon Egg, noted unusual circumstances when calling, such as an unfamiliar voice on the answering machine identifying as “Nate.” Family and friends grew concerned as attempts to reach him failed.
By early August, neighbors began discussing his absence on platforms like Nextdoor. They reported seeing unfamiliar people, often appearing homeless, coming and going from his home at 228 Clara Street. One neighbor requested a welfare check, but police did not enter the residence at that time.
Suspicion escalated in mid-August when residents observed bizarre activity: an unknown man aggressively cleaning the floors with excessive soapy water that spilled out the door, carrying a strong bleach smell.
On August 14th, 2018, neighbors called 911 after spotting a private crime scene cleanup crew (from the company Aftermath) at the home, along with suspicious individuals. Police entered the property and, after a multi-day search, discovered a human torso concealed in a large fish tank hidden in a small room behind a picture or under a staircase.
The remains were severely decomposed, submerged in chemicals, and weighed down with items including a carpet, empty Drano bottles, and an iron sawhorse. DNA testing confirmed the torso belonged to Brian Egg. His head and hands were not found.
The San Francisco Medical Examiner’s Office autopsy, finalized in May 2019, ruled the death a homicide caused by blunt-force trauma.
Police launched a homicide investigation. Two men were arrested shortly after the discovery. The first of these was Lance Silva (then thirty-nine), who was found to possess documentation related to a 2007 BMW purchased in early June 2018 using Brian Egg’s identity (for $5,500 from a Newark dealership). The vehicle was later towed from near Brian’s address. Police believed Silva had been using Brian’s debit card and financial accounts.
The second was Robert McCaffrey (then fifty-two), who reportedly met the cleanup crew at the home.
Both were initially booked on suspicion of homicide, identity theft, fraud, elder abuse, and related charges. They had reportedly been staying in Brian’s home after his disappearance and told police he was “on vacation.”
However, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office declined to file or dropped the charges pending further investigation. McCaffrey was released soon after in August 2018. Silva remained in custody initially on a separate parole violation (related to prior grand theft, identity theft, and fraud convictions) but was released in April 2019 after serving time on that matter. No one has ever been charged or convicted in connection with Brian Egg’s murder.
The case drew outrage from neighbors, friends, and Brian’s family, who criticized the police response and the decision to release the suspects. A neighbor who knew Brian well expressed frustration that “they’ve gotten away with murder.” Coverage appeared in outlets like The Guardian, ABC7, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Bay Area Reporter, highlighting the lack of resolution even years later.
As of this writing in January 2026, the case remains unsolved. No additional suspects have been publicly identified, and Brian Egg’s head and hands are still missing.
Crime Immemorial 