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The original was posted on /r/unresolvedmysteries by /u/txerin93 on 2024-01-23 01:26:50+00:00.
Original Title: December 13, 2020, Jason Landry seemingly vanished from San Marcos, Texas, whilst heading home for winter break. Despite numerous searches being held near the area of his last known location, Jason still has not been found. What happened to Jason, and where is he?
Introduction
Jason Landry was born on July 29, 1999, to parents Kent and Lisa Landry. Having 2 older siblings, Jessica and Kyle, Jason was known to be the outgoing and charismatic goofball of the family. From his early childhood to his adult years, Jason enjoyed cars, anything involving the outdoors, animals, and could always be counted on for 3 things—wearing silly socks, having a cookie cake every year for his birthday per tradition, and having a deep love for Swedish Fish candy. According to Jason’s mom, Lisa, “Jason had the best smile. He could get away with anything. He loved music, he played all sorts of instruments, and he gave the best hugs.”
Although having to grapple with the effects of Covid 19, Jason had just completed his first semester at Texas State University, and by all accounts, was eager and excited to get back to his hometown of Missouri City, Texas, to spend time with family over winter break. With his Nissan Altima packed with his belongings, Jason left his apartment around 10:55 pm on December 13th, ready to begin his destination home.
Timeline of Events
11:05-11:12 pm, Jason opens up his Waze application (a GPS navigation tool) and proceeds to drive on Highway 80, soon passing underneath Interstate 35 in San Marcos. He’ll continue driving along Highway 80 until he reaches Martindale, Texas, around 11:12 pm.
11:24-11:34 pm, Jason continues his drive, however, he closes the Waze app and opens Snapchat. This is also where the technological record of Jason ends.
12:30 am on December 14th, Jason’s car was found crashed and abandoned by a local volunteer firefighter on Salt Flat Road in Luling, Texas, a little over a 30 minute drive out of San Marcos. The car was still running, the headlights were on (the keys were in the ignition, to my knowledge this vehicle is not a push to start), but Jason himself was nowhere to be found. According to Jason’s parents, driving through Luling to get home was not uncommon, although at one point or another he missed his correct turn to get to I-10 Highway thus ending up on Salt Flat Road.
An hour or so after the vehicle is located, DPS officers then arrive on scene to survey the area. Assuming that this was a single car accident that occurred whilst possibly spinning out of control, the car is then towed and taken to an impound lot.
As the registered owner of the vehicle, Kent Landry gets a phone call from a DPS officer around 2 am, who informs him of the car accident and confirms that Jason is in fact, missing. Abruptly, Kent gets in his vehicle and begins the journey from Missouri City to the impound lot in Luling.
5:30 am, Kent arrives to the impound lot but wasn’t granted immediate access to Jason’s car, as the lot was closed at that time. Eventually, Kent was able to enter the lot and get inside Jason’s car through the unlocked drivers side door. (Passenger door was locked, I’m unsure about the 2 back doors). During his search, Kent found Jason’s cell phone wedged between the drivers seat and the middle console.
6:00-6:30 am, Kent arrives at the scene of the crash, finding Jason’s personal belongings scattered among the gravel dirt road. These belongings included Jason’s backpack (holding miscellaneous items such as his wallet, laptop, and a small amount of weed), a t-shirt, a pair of SpongeBob socks, shorts, slip on sandals, and his watch. I will mention here that these are the clothing items that Jason was apparently wearing when he left his apartment.
A hat, some toiletries, and Jason’s deceased pet beta fish were also found near the scene.
Investigation
Whilst examining Jason’s shorts, a small amount of blood is found near the waistband area, however, this is thought to have been caused by possibly Jason coming into contact with a barbed wire fence or part of the vehicle somehow after the crash. Later that morning, Jason is officially declared missing and search efforts begin.
December 18, 2020, the Department of Public Safety officially hands Jason’s case over to the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office.
In February of 2022, Caldwell County requested resources/investigative assistance from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Office of the Attorney General’s Cold Case Unit.
July of 2022, a man with a physical resemblance to Jason was found unconscious in the Bronx area of New York City. However, DNA testing confirmed that this man was not Jason.
In a recent December 2023 statement, Ken Paxton stated that the unit has dedicated hundreds of hours towards the case, has utilized all available resources, and has pursued any and all credible leads.
Since the day Jason disappeared to current, Jason’s family, volunteers, Texas Search and Rescue, and Texas EquuSearch have each taken part in searches totaling more than 30,000 acres. These searches include the manner of horseback, the use of cadaver dogs, helicopters, drones, and both water/drainage measures. Warrants have been issued (unsure for whom), and there have been multiple witness interviews. Nonetheless, all of this has seemingly been to no avail.
Conclusion
Despite not knowing the whereabouts of Jason, nor what exactly happened the night he disappeared, the determination that the Landry family continues to uphold hasn’t faltered. Numerous searches are organized and take place several times a year on/around Salt Flat Road. In person and virtual meetings are every so often held to remind people what the ultimate goal is—to find Jason and bring him home. From old family photos to Prayer Vigils, the findjasonlandry Facebook page is a great resource to stay updated and involved with the case.
At the time of his disappearance, Jason stood 6’1, weighed roughly 170 pounds, had light brown hair, and had acne facial scarring. If you have tips or any information you’d like to provide, please contact the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office at (512) 398-6777.
Sources