After nearly six years, one Texas family finally has some answers.
On Sept. 23, 2026, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Cold Case Unit announced that “DNA analysis has conclusively identified recently recovered human remains as those of Jason Landry, who had been missing since December 13, 2020.”
Jason, a 21-year-old Texas State University student, disappeared while driving home from San Marcos to visit family in Missouri City, Texas. Dateline featured his case in its “Missing in America” digital series in February 2021.
Just after midnight on Dec. 14, a volunteer fireman discovered Jason’s wrecked car abandoned on Salt Flat Road near Luling, Texas. The lights were still on, the keys were in the ignition and the front passenger side door was locked. But there was no sign of Jason.
Jason’s father, Kent Landry, got a call from a state trooper at 2 a.m. telling him his son’s car had been found wrecked in a single-vehicle crash on the dark country road. “It’s a call that every parent fears,” Kent Landry told Dateline in 2021. “It’s our worst nightmare.”
“Several of his personal belongings, including clothing, were found scattered near the crash site, but Landry was not located despite extensive searches by law enforcement, search teams, and volunteers,” the press release from the Texas AG states. Over the years, investigators conducted repeated searches and continued to review new leads.
Then, on Sept. 8, a local resident found human remains east of Salt Flat Road, between Soda Springs and Biggs Road, near the area where Jason vanished. “DNA testing conducted by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (“UNTCHI”) confirmed the remains belonged to Landry,” the press release stated. “The skeletal remains do not provide additional insight into the cause or manner of death, and investigators 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,” Paxton said. “My Cold Case Unit will continue fighting to solve cases and bring closure on behalf of Texas families and victims.”
The press release stated that Jason’s family has been notified and authorities are asking that their privacy be respected.
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