Jason Landry’s Remains Found 6 Years After He Went Missing - Newsweek

Remains found in Texas earlier this month belong to Jason Landry, the 21-year-old college student who went missing while on his way home for Christmas break nearly six years ago, authorities have confirmed.

Landry vanished on December 13, 2020, while driving home to Missouri City, Texas, from San Marcos, where he attended Texas State University.

About two weeks ago, the Texas Attorney General’s Office Cold Case Unit was alerted to human remains a local resident had discovered near Salt Flat Road in Luling.

DNA analysis has since confirmed that these remains belong to Landry, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Wednesday.

In a post made on a Facebook account used by Landry's family, they said: "Today, we found out that the remains found recently were confirmed to be Jason's. While we grieve his passing, we are so thankful to all of you who have prayed for our family during these difficult years of waiting. We are also so grateful for the members of law enforcement, volunteer search team members, and the many individuals that have lifted up our family and the memory of Jason. But most of all, we are so blessed to know that Jason is home with the Lord. We can't wait to see him again in heaven. 'The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.' (John 1:5)"

On the night Landry went missing in 2020, a crashed and abandoned vehicle was found on Salt Flat Road in Caldwell County near Luling shortly after midnight.

Some of his personal belongings, including his clothing, were scattered around the scene.

Landry was never found “despite extensive searches by law enforcement, search teams, and volunteers,” Paxton said.

In the years since, there have been repeated ground and aerial searches, with the OAG Cold Case Unit repeatedly reviewing new leads and re-examining the case.

“In addition to the work of law enforcement and professional search teams, citizen volunteers devoted substantial time, effort, and personal resources to the search for Jason,” Paxton said.

On September 8 this year, a local resident reported that they had found human remains east of where the crash site had been.

The University of North Texas Center for Human Identification carried out DNA testing and confirmed the remains belonged to Landry.

But investigators were unable to determine how Landry died and have found no indication of foul play.

“This development marks a critical moment in a case that has weighed heavily on our hearts for nearly six years. The Landry family has suffered an unimaginable tragedy, and they will remain in our prayers, especially during this incredibly difficult time,” said Attorney General Paxton. “My Cold Case Unit will continue fighting to solve cases and bring closure on behalf of Texas families and victims.”

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Ben Kelly and Cristina Diciu.