Jason David Landry was an American college student whose disappearance after a vehicle crash near Luling, Texas, became one of the most closely followed missing-person cases in the state. A student at Texas State University, he disappeared on December 13, 2020, while driving from San Marcos to his family’s home in Missouri City for Christmas break. His abandoned Nissan Altima was discovered shortly after midnight on a rural road in Caldwell County, but there was initially no sign of him.
For nearly six years, Jason’s family, law enforcement agencies and volunteer search organizations continued looking for him. His disappearance generated repeated searches involving ground teams, dogs, drones, helicopters and other investigative technology, while his family held annual vigils and continued appealing for information. The case also received extensive media and true-crime coverage because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the abandoned vehicle and the absence of Jason.
A major development came in September 2026. Human skeletal remains discovered in Caldwell County on September 8 were examined by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification, and DNA testing conclusively established that they belonged to Jason Landry. The identification brought an end to the uncertainty over his whereabouts, although authorities said the remains did not reveal his cause or manner of death.
Jason Landry Profile Summary
| Profile | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jason David Landry |
| Date of Birth | July 29, 1999 |
| Age at Disappearance | 21 years old |
| Age at Death | 21 years old |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Raised In | Missouri City, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | College student |
| University | Texas State University |
| Father | Kent Landry |
| Mother | Lisa Landry |
| Siblings | Two older siblings, Kyle and Jessica |
| Religion | Christian background |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 180 lbs (approximately 82 kg) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Disappearance | December 13, 2020 |
| Location of Disappearance | Near Luling, Caldwell County, Texas |
| Remains Identified | September 23, 2026 |
| Social Media | No verified personal public account established |
| Net Worth | Not applicable; college student |
Jason Landry Early Life
Jason David Landry was born on July 29, 1999. Available accounts indicate that his family lived in several places during his childhood before settling in Missouri City, Texas, where he grew up. He was the youngest of three children, with older siblings Kyle and Jessica. His parents were Kent and Lisa Landry.
His father, Kent Landry, was a former attorney who later became a pastor at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Missouri City. His mother, Lisa Landry, worked as a certified public accountant. The family’s faith was an important part of their lives, and Kent frequently spoke publicly about relying on Christianity while the family searched for Jason.
Family members described Jason as warm, playful and adventurous. His mother remembered him for his smile and affectionate personality, while accounts from people who knew him described an interest in music, instruments, cars, outdoor activities, video games and skateboarding. He was also remembered as the youngest child and the “goofball” of the family.
Jason Landry Education
Jason attended school in the Missouri City area before eventually enrolling at Texas State University in San Marcos. By 2020, he was living near the university and had begun his college education. Public sources do not provide enough reliable information to establish a detailed account of his earlier schools or a specific degree programme.
At Texas State, Jason had completed his first semester by December 2020. His disappearance occurred shortly after he had finished his autumn final examinations and was preparing to return to his family home for the Christmas break.
His time at Texas State was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the university experience of many students in 2020. At the time he disappeared, he was still at the beginning of his university career and had not completed a degree.
Jason Landry Career
Jason Landry did not have an established professional career because he was a 21-year-old university student when he disappeared. His principal occupation at the time was his education at Texas State University in San Marcos.
His life before the disappearance was largely centred on his family, friendships, education and personal interests. People close to him remembered his interest in music, including playing instruments, as well as his enjoyment of cars, outdoor activities, video games and skateboarding.
Although he never had the opportunity to develop a long-term professional career, Jason’s disappearance brought his name to national and regional attention. His case became the subject of extensive reporting and documentaries, including an episode of Disappeared titled “The Long Drive Home.”
The investigation also became significant within Texas because the Texas Attorney General’s Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit eventually became involved. Beginning in 2022, the unit conducted additional investigative work, including reviews of digital evidence, interviews, forensic testing and repeated searches.
Jason Landry Disappearance
On the night of December 13, 2020, Jason left his apartment in San Marcos at approximately 10:55 p.m. He was driving toward Missouri City to spend Christmas with his family. His route took him through Luling in Caldwell County.
At approximately 11:26 p.m., investigators later determined that his phone connected to the Waze navigation application in Luling. Data reviewed by investigators indicated that he continued along Austin Street rather than taking the expected route toward Interstate 10. He eventually reached the rural Salt Flat Road area.
Shortly after midnight, a volunteer firefighter discovered Jason’s 2003 Nissan Altima after it had crashed on Salt Flat Road. The vehicle was abandoned, with the keys and other personal items associated with Jason at or around the scene. His clothing, phone and other belongings were also found in the area, but Jason himself was nowhere to be found.
Authorities and volunteers launched extensive searches around the crash site. Teams used search dogs, drones, helicopters, infrared technology, sonar and ground searches. One search effort tracked a scent for a short distance before the trail was lost. Despite repeated searches over the following years, Jason could not be located.
The circumstances generated different theories about what happened after the crash. Investigators reported no evidence that another vehicle was involved in the collision and no evidence establishing that Jason had arranged to meet someone in Luling. The Texas Attorney General’s Office said in 2022 that digital evidence did not reveal plans for such a meeting.
Some investigators believed Jason may have become disoriented after the crash and died somewhere in the surrounding area. Texas State geospatial investigator Kim Rossmo conducted geographic analysis and concluded that hypothermia following the crash was a possible explanation. Other theories were discussed publicly, but none was established as fact.
Jason Landry Death and Cause of Death
Jason Landry was 21 years old when he disappeared on December 13, 2020. For almost six years, his family did not know where he was or what had happened to him. That changed in September 2026 when a local resident discovered human remains in Caldwell County, east of Salt Flat Road between Soda Springs and Biggs Road.
DNA analysis conducted by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification conclusively identified the remains as those of Jason Landry. The Texas Attorney General’s Office announced the identification on September 23, 2026, after notifying his family.
The discovery did not, however, establish how Jason died. The Attorney General’s Office stated that the skeletal remains provided no additional insight into the cause or manner of death. Investigators also said they had found no indication of foul play. Therefore, his exact cause of death remains officially undetermined.
Jason Landry Trending: Why Is Jason Landry Famous?
Jason Landry became widely known because of the unusual circumstances surrounding his 2020 disappearance. His car was found crashed and abandoned on a remote road, while his belongings were scattered around the area and there was no immediate explanation for where he had gone.
The case received sustained attention from Texas media, missing-person organizations and true-crime programs. His family continued organizing vigils and search efforts, while volunteers and investigators repeatedly returned to the area around the original crash site.
The September 2026 identification of his remains generated renewed national attention. The discovery was particularly significant because the remains were found outside the area that had previously received the greatest concentration of searches, according to officials and contemporary reporting.
Jason Landry Personal Life
Jason was the youngest of Kent and Lisa Landry’s three children. His older siblings were Kyle and Jessica. His family lived in Missouri City, Texas, and remained closely involved in efforts to find him after his disappearance. His parents repeatedly spoke publicly about their son and maintained vigils and awareness efforts throughout the nearly six-year search.
His father, Kent Landry, was a pastor at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Missouri City, and the family’s Christian faith played a significant role in how they responded to Jason’s disappearance. At a 2021 prayer vigil, Kent spoke openly about his belief that Jason was in heaven and his hope that the family would eventually be reunited with him.
Jason was remembered by family members as a loving and energetic young man with a wide range of interests. He enjoyed music, playing instruments, cars, outdoor activities, skateboarding and video games. His mother also remembered his strong smile and affectionate personality.
Jason Landry Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Jason Landry was born on July 29, 1999, and was 21 years old when he disappeared in December 2020. The Texas Department of Public Safety’s official missing-person record confirms his date of birth and identifies him as an American missing from Texas.
Jason came from a Christian family and was raised in a household where his father served as a pastor. His parents publicly relied on their Christian faith during the search for him, and prayer vigils were held by family and friends. His personal religious practices were not extensively documented independently, so his Christian background is better established than details of his individual beliefs.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Jason was 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and weighed 180 pounds, approximately 82 kg. The same official record lists his hair and eyes as brown and notes scars on his right ankle and the right side of his neck.
Jason Landry Legacy
Jason Landry’s disappearance became a long-running case that brought together law enforcement agencies, professional search organizations, volunteers, journalists and members of the public. His family continued to advocate for answers for almost six years, even after repeated searches had failed to locate him.
His case also demonstrated the role that modern investigative technology can play in missing-person investigations. Authorities examined phone-location data, digital evidence, geospatial information and forensic material while search teams used dogs, drones, helicopters and other equipment to examine the area around the crash.
The September 2026 identification of Jason’s remains brought a major development to a case that had remained unresolved since 2020. Although the discovery has not established his cause or manner of death, it has confirmed what happened to him and given his family the information that his remains had been recovered.
Conclusion
Jason Landry was a 21-year-old Texas State University student whose disappearance following a December 2020 vehicle crash near Luling, Texas, remained unresolved for almost six years. Born in 1999 and raised in Missouri City, he was remembered by his family as a loving and adventurous young man with interests in music, cars, outdoor activities and video games. His disappearance prompted extensive searches and a prolonged investigation involving local and state authorities, professional search organizations and volunteers. In September 2026, DNA testing conclusively identified human remains found in Caldwell County as Jason’s, ending the uncertainty over his whereabouts. However, authorities have not determined his cause or manner of death and have reported no indication of foul play.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jason Landry
Who was Jason Landry?
Jason Landry was an American Texas State University student who disappeared after a vehicle crash near Luling, Texas, on December 13, 2020. His remains were identified by DNA testing in September 2026.
How old was Jason Landry when he disappeared?
Jason Landry was 21 years old when he disappeared.
When was Jason Landry born?
Jason Landry was born on July 29, 1999. His date of birth is listed in the Texas Department of Public Safety’s official missing-person record.
Where was Jason Landry from?
Jason Landry was raised in Missouri City, Texas, near Houston. He was attending Texas State University in San Marcos when he disappeared.
When did Jason Landry disappear?
Jason Landry disappeared on December 13, 2020, while driving from San Marcos to his family’s home in Missouri City for Christmas break.
Where was Jason Landry’s car found?
His 2003 Nissan Altima was found crashed and abandoned on Salt Flat Road in Caldwell County near Luling, Texas, shortly after midnight.
Were Jason Landry’s remains found?
Yes. Human remains discovered in Caldwell County on September 8, 2026, were conclusively identified as Jason Landry through DNA testing by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification.
When were Jason Landry’s remains identified?
The Texas Attorney General’s Office announced the identification on September 23, 2026.
What was Jason Landry’s cause of death?
Jason Landry’s cause and manner of death have not been determined publicly. The Texas Attorney General’s Office said the skeletal remains did not provide additional insight into how he died.
Was Jason Landry’s death considered foul play?
Authorities have stated that they have found no indication of foul play. Earlier theories about what happened after the crash were not conclusively established.
How tall was Jason Landry?
Jason Landry was 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
How much did Jason Landry weigh?
The official Texas DPS missing-person record listed his weight as 180 pounds, approximately 82 kilograms.
What did Jason Landry study?
Jason Landry was a student at Texas State University in San Marcos. Publicly available records do not reliably establish his specific degree programme.
Who were Jason Landry’s parents?
His parents were Kent Landry and Lisa Landry. Kent was a pastor at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Missouri City, while Lisa worked as a CPA.
Did Jason Landry have siblings?
Yes. He was the youngest of three children and had an older brother, Kyle, and an older sister, Jessica.
What religion was Jason Landry?
Jason was raised in a Christian family. His father was a pastor, and the family publicly relied on their Christian faith during the search for him.
How long was Jason Landry missing?
Jason Landry was missing for nearly six years, from December 13, 2020, until his remains were identified in September 2026.