CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas — The remains of Jason Landry, a Texas State University student who disappeared in December 2020, have been identified nearly six years after his vehicle was found at the scene of a crash, state officials announced Wednesday.
DNA testing confirms identity
The Office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said DNA analysis conducted by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI) confirmed that the remains discovered in early September belong to Landry. Authorities say a local resident located the remains on Sept. 8, 2026, east of Salt Flat Road, between Soda Springs and Biggs Road in Caldwell County.
Landry, who was 21 when he went missing, had been driving from Texas State University in San Marcos to his family’s home in Missouri City on Dec. 13, 2020, when investigators say his vehicle crashed just after midnight. While the wrecked car was recovered on Salt Flat Road near Luling, Landry himself was not found at the time. Personal items, including clothing, were discovered scattered near the crash site.
Investigation status and cause of death
Authorities have not released any new information indicating foul play. Paxton’s office said that although DNA established the identity of the remains, they do not at this time provide additional detail about the cause of death. State and local investigators continue to treat the matter as an active inquiry.
Officials emphasized the role of modern forensic work in resolving long-standing missing-person cases. The UNTCHI, which performs DNA comparisons and identifications for law enforcement, was credited for confirming the remains as Landry’s.
Family response
On social media, the family acknowledged the identification and expressed mixed emotions. In a statement posted to the “Missing Person - Jason Landry” Facebook page, they said they were grieving but thankful for those who helped during the years-long search.
“While we grieve Jason’s passing, we are grateful for law enforcement, volunteer search members, and other individuals who lifted up our family and the memory of Jason.”
Timeline of key events
Here are the principal dates and developments known from authorities’ statements and previous reporting:
- Dec. 13, 2020 — Landry reported driving from San Marcos to Missouri City; his vehicle was later found in a crash in Caldwell County.
- 2020–2026 — Search efforts, investigations and public appeals continued, with no definitive location for Landry until 2026.
- Sept. 8, 2026 — A local resident discovered human remains east of Salt Flat Road in Caldwell County.
- Sept. 23, 2026 — Attorney General’s office announced DNA confirmation by UNTCHI identifying the remains as Jason Landry.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age at disappearance | 21 |
| Last known travel | From San Marcos (Texas State University) to Missouri City |
| Crash location | Salt Flat Road near Luling, Caldwell County |
| Remains located | East of Salt Flat Road, between Soda Springs and Biggs Road |
Local impact and next steps
The identification brings a measure of closure to Landry’s family after nearly six years of uncertainty. Authorities say the finding does not immediately change the status of the investigation regarding how Landry died. Caldwell County investigators and state police will continue to review evidence, and officials have not announced whether additional forensic testing or a public briefing will follow.
The case underscores the role of community tips and routine forensic work in long-term missing-person cases. Law enforcement agencies often rely on new leads, technological advances in DNA testing and volunteer search efforts to resolve cases that had gone cold.
Anyone with information relevant to the case is asked to contact Caldwell County law enforcement. Officials have not provided a timeline for releasing further investigative details.
Reporting for this article relied on the Attorney General’s office announcement and prior coverage of the 2020 disappearance. Local authorities have not indicated any suspects or cited evidence of criminal activity in connection with Landry’s death.
