Jason Landry: Human remains positively identified as man missing since 2020

AUSTIN, Texas - A Cold Case Unit created by the Texas Attorney General's Office said that DNA analysis has conclusively identified recently recovered human remains as those of Jason Landry, who had been missing since December 2020.

Drone pilot with Texas EquuSearch speaks on Jason Landry update

Dig deeper:

"It's a bit of regret, you know, that we didn't go out only a little bit further, but you know we can only spread our resources so thin," says Gene Robinson, a drone pilot with Texas EquuSearch, who assisted in Landry's search efforts. 

He says Jason's remains were found about a mile away from their established search area. 

For three days, Robinson worked with law enforcement and search coordinators to help locate Jason. A search diameter of two miles was created for his drones to map using imaging technology.

"We searched it very significantly. I went through all my old flight files, and we covered the area very well with the drone, and we imaged it in both RGB, which is color imagery, and thermal imagery over the course of several days," says Robinson. "Unfortunately, it was just short of where his remains were found by about a mile."

Robinson told FOX 7 that he used two drones in his search for Jason, which were capable of taking thousands of pictures. Those images were then used to give search teams a clearer picture of the landscape as well as provide areas of interest which needed extra attention. He believes that if they had the ability to enlarge the search area, drones might have been able to locate Jason’s remains sooner.

"There is a good probability that the drone could have seen it," says Robinson. "If we had the resources to be able to continue to make that search area larger and larger and larger, it certainly could have happened that way."

Robinson said he still does not have the coordinates where Jason’s remains were found, which he says will determine exactly how far the discovery was from his drone's search area.

What they're saying:

"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," said Attorney General Paxton in a news release.

Cyndi Lay, a Landry family advocate, released a statement following the news:

"Now is a somber time, because precious Jason has been found.

Now is also a time of rejoicing, because JASON IS COMING HOME!

Now is certainly a time for giving thanks to The Almighty!  For He has been faithful.

Many prayers have been answered. It’s truly a gift from above that the Landrys will have their son home with them, within this lifetime.

I hope and pray that we all can and will, keep in mind, and show respect for, their feelings as they as a family navigate through the coming days, weeks, months and years.

We must continue to pray for them.

*While many different emotions overcome me personally at this time… I know the biggest feeling that I have is a heart filled with gratitude and thanksgiving.  And peace.

*On behalf of the Jason Landry Search Team (JLST), I know I can speak for all those who have volunteered their time, energy and efforts to search for Jason.  We are honored to have had an opportunity to serve Jason and his family in whatever capacity we were able."

Caldwell County deputies find human remains in Luling

The backstory:

On Sept. 8, a person discovered human remains east of Salt Flat Road, between Soda Springs and Biggs Road.

The discovery was made in the same area where Landry disappeared in December 2020.

DNA testing conducted by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI) confirmed the remains belonged to Landry. The skeletal remains do not provide additional insight into the cause or manner of death, and investigators have found no indication of foul play.

What's next:

Officials say the Landry family has been notified, and agencies respectfully request privacy for the family as they navigate this difficult update. 

Further information will be released as appropriate.

What happened to Jason Landry?

The backstory:

Landry was 21 and a student at Texas State University when he traveled from San Marcos to his hometown of Missouri City, Texas, in December 2020. He never made it home.

His car was found crashed into a tree along Salt Flat Road, a gravel road that runs through oil fields in Luling. His clothes and cellphone were found at the scene, but there was no sign of Landry.

For nearly six years, Landry’s family, friends and volunteer search teams have been looking for answers. Search teams scoured the area for additional evidence but came up empty.

"Although we don’t believe he’s still alive, we still need to find him, it’s very important and a piece of us is missing," Landry’s family previously said.

"None of the follow-up searches produced a single shred, not even a scrap of evidence away from the original accident scene," the family said in a previous interview.

The search never stopped. Billboards were placed, reward money was offered and crowds of volunteers searched for Landry.

Each year, friends and family gathered for a vigil near the location where his car was found along Salt Flat Road.

The investigation into Landry’s disappearance was taken over by the Texas Attorney General’s Office in 2022. 

Timeline:

In 2022, the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office shared evidence in the case with FOX 7 Austin. For a more detailed timeline surrounding his disappearance, click here.

Jason LandryLulingTexas State UniversityMissing Persons