Nearly six years after Jason Landry disappeared while traveling home for Christmas, authorities have confirmed that human remains found in Caldwell County, Texas, belong to the Texas State University student.
Landry was 21 when he went missing on December 13, 2020, during a drive from San Marcos to his family’s home in Missouri City. His abandoned vehicle was later discovered near Luling, beginning a years-long search for answers about what happened to him.
The Texas Attorney General’s Cold Case Unit announced on September 23, 2026, that DNA testing had conclusively identified remains recovered earlier this month as Landry.
Human Remains Identified as Jason Landry
A local resident discovered the remains on September 8 in an area east of Salt Flat Road, between Soda Springs and Biggs Road in Caldwell County.
The remains were submitted for DNA testing through the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification. The analysis ultimately confirmed Landry’s identity.
The discovery brings an end to the uncertainty over Landry’s whereabouts, but it has not answered all of the questions surrounding his death.
Landry Disappeared on the Way Home
Jason Landry left his San Marcos apartment on December 13, 2020, intending to travel to Missouri City for the Christmas holiday.
His 2003 Nissan Altima was later found crashed and abandoned along Salt Flat Road near Luling. Landry was not at the scene.
Investigators found personal belongings in and around the vehicle and along the nearby roadway. Search teams, law enforcement officers and volunteers spent years examining the surrounding area and following leads in an effort to locate the missing student.
The investigation continued long after the initial searches and became one of the more closely followed missing-person cases in the area.
Cause and Manner of Death Remain Unresolved
While DNA testing established that the remains were Landry’s, authorities have said the skeletal remains do not provide additional information about how he died.
The Texas Attorney General’s Office has also reported no indication of foul play. The identification therefore does not establish what happened to Landry after his vehicle was found.
Officials continue to review the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death, and speculation about his final hours should not be treated as confirmed information.
Years of Searching for Answers
The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Search and Rescue were among those involved in efforts to find Landry.
The Texas Attorney General’s Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit later became involved, reviewing evidence, pursuing leads and coordinating investigative and search efforts.
For Landry’s family, those efforts continued for years without knowing where he was or what had happened to him.
The September 2026 identification finally provides confirmation of his whereabouts nearly six years after his disappearance.
Remembering Jason Landry
Jason Landry was a 21-year-old Texas State University student from Missouri City, Texas. His disappearance in December 2020 left his family and those who knew him waiting for answers for years.
The confirmation of his identity allows his loved ones to begin the process of bringing his remains home, while important questions about the circumstances of his death remain unanswered.
Funeral or memorial arrangements for Jason Landry have not been provided in the information available. His family and loved ones are now left to remember him while authorities continue to address the remaining questions surrounding his case.
Leave a Reply