CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas – Almost six years after Jason Landry disappeared while traveling from Texas State University in San Marcos to his family home in Missouri City, state officials have confirmed that the remains discovered earlier this month are his.
DNA testing provides identification
Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office released a statement on Wednesday indicating that the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI) performed DNA analysis that matched the remains to Landry’s family DNA profile. The identification was made possible after a local resident found the remains on September 8.
Details of the 2020 crash
According to the investigation, Landry, then 21, was driving late on December 13, 2020, when his vehicle left the roadway in Caldwell County shortly after midnight. While investigators recovered the crashed vehicle and scattered personal items, including clothing, Landry’s body was never located at the time.
The recent discovery does not shed new light on the cause of death, and officials have stated that there is currently no evidence of foul play.
Family response and ongoing investigation
Landry’s family expressed a mixture of relief and sorrow upon hearing the news, noting that the identification brings closure after years of uncertainty. The Texas Department of Public Safety continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, though no additional details have been released.
State response
Attorney General Paxton’s office praised the collaborative effort between local law‑enforcement, the forensic team at UNT, and the community member who discovered the remains. The office emphasized the importance of DNA technology in solving cold cases and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting families seeking answers.
Background on the case
Jason Landry was a student at Texas State University, majoring in business. He was traveling home to Missouri City, a suburb of Houston, when his vehicle was involved in the crash. The disappearance sparked a multi‑year search effort involving volunteers, law‑enforcement agencies, and the university’s own resources.
While the remains have now been identified, investigators have not disclosed whether any further forensic examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. The case remains open, and authorities have asked anyone with additional information to contact the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
