Summary (tl;dr)

Human remains discovered earlier this month in Caldwell County, Texas, have been positively identified through DNA analysis as Jason Landry, a Texas State University student who disappeared in December 2020, bringing a partial resolution to a nearly six-year-old cold case.

Essential Background

Jason Landry, then 21, was last seen on December 13, 2020, leaving his apartment in San Marcos, Texas, to drive to his parents' home in Missouri City for winter break. Shortly after midnight on December 14, his crashed and abandoned Nissan Altima was discovered on Salt Flat Road near Luling, Caldwell County. His phone, wallet, and some clothing were found scattered near the wreckage, but Landry himself was not located despite extensive searches by law enforcement, professional teams, and volunteers over the years. Investigators believed it was a single-vehicle accident where he attempted to overcorrect on a gravel road, causing his car to spin off and hit trees.

The Full Story

On September 8, 2026, a local resident discovered human remains east of Salt Flat Road, between Soda Springs and Biggs Road, near the original crash site in Caldwell County. The Texas Attorney General's Office announced on September 23, 2026, that DNA analysis conducted by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification conclusively identified these remains as Jason Landry. While this identification marks a significant development in the case, the skeletal remains did not provide additional insight into the cause or manner of Landry's death, and investigators have reported no indication of foul play.

Why It Matters

The identification of Jason Landry's remains provides long-awaited answers and a measure of closure for his family, who have endured nearly six years of uncertainty. This development highlights the persistent efforts of law enforcement's cold case units and search and rescue organizations, as well as the community, in resolving missing persons cases. However, the inability to determine the cause of death leaves some questions unanswered, preventing a full understanding of the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

Geographic Location

• Luling, Caldwell County, Texas, United States (location where Jason Landry's car was found crashed and where his remains were discovered)
• San Marcos, Hays County, Texas, United States (departure point of Jason Landry from his apartment)
• Denton, Denton County, Texas, United States (location where DNA identification was conducted by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification)