Search for missing Texas State student Jason Landry continues near Luling
LULING, Texas - It has been nearly 10 months since Jason Landry went missing on his way home from Texas State University for the holidays. Saturday, Texas Search and Rescue (TEXSAR) conducted a one-day search at the area near Luling where Jason was last seen.
This is not the first time they have searched this area. This is actually the eighth time and they keep searching this area because they believe he could still be here.
"We believe that Jason Landry is still somewhere here, he just hasn't been discovered yet," said Capt. Jeff Ferry with the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office.
Saturday, CCSO called TEXSAR back to Jason Landry’s last known location to search once again. "We're looking for evidence, specifically, we're looking for human remains, most likely bones," said Ferry.
Jason’s father, Kent Landry, says it has been a tough past 10 months without his son, but has had some ease knowing God is watching over Jason.
"We know that no matter what happens, if in an hour from now they find Jason's body, he's in heaven. Nothing has changed for eternity. Nothing. I'm still going to see him. I'm still going to spend all eternity with him in heaven and that's what keeps you going," said Kent.
Ten months after Jason's disappearance, 50 trained and certified volunteers from TEXSAR returned to the area of land to look for him, this time with more data under their belt and 86 points of interest to look into.
"Our last big search in February resulted in over 36,000 different images from the drones aside from the 1000s of miles we've covered on ground, so in the past months since that search, we've been combing through those images, using the software, and AI there to find those points of interest anomalies and things that needed further follow up," said Shawn Hohnstreiter, director of field operations for TEXSAR.
Several teams searched including drone, mounted, ground searcher, and canine teams.
As the volunteers searched for his son, Kent caught himself reflecting back on his time spent with Jason. He hopes no other family has to deal with the pain his family is dealing with right now, and encourages others to enjoy the little things.
"I would encourage any parent to spend more time with their kids, spend more time with their families, and make some memories. Where I stand, I’m so thankful for all the years and all the memories that I have for Jason because I may not get any more," said Kent.
As the search continues for Jason Landry, the public is asked to contact Captain Ferry directly at 512-398-6777 ext. 4504 or email Jeff.Ferry@co.caldwell.tx.us with any information regarding Jason’s disappearance.
WHO IS JASON LANDRY?
Investigators believe the 21-year-old planned to drive home from his apartment in San Marcos to Missouri City, a suburb of Houston. A timeline from the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office tracks Landry's movements from when he left his apartment in San Marcos to when his phone ceased pinging in Luling.
The timeline provided by CCSO is as follows:
- December 13, 2020, 10:55 p.m.: Landry leaves his apartment in San Marcos, headed to Missouri City
- December 13, 2020, 11:05 p.m.: Landry is driving on Hwy 80 and passes under I-35 in San Marcos
- December 13, 2020, 11:07 p.m.: Landry enters Caldwell County on Hwy 80, heading south
- December 13, 2020, 11:11 p.m.: Landry enters Martindale, still heading south on Hwy 80
- December 13, 2020, 11:15 p.m.: Landry passes over SH 130 on Hwy 80
- December 13, 2020, 11:17-11:21 p.m.: Landry passes through Fentress, Prairie Lea, and Stairtown
- December 13, 2020, 11:24 p.m.: Landry enters Luling on Hwy 80.
CCSO says that as Landry went through the intersection at Hackberry Street where Hwy 80 becomes Austin Street, he stopped using the Waze app and began using Snapchat.
Landry then continued on Austin St. to the intersection with U.S. 183, also known as Magnolia Avenue, and CCSO says investigators believe he continued straight through that intersection, continuing onto E. Austin, but at this intersection, his digital footprint stops. Landry then continued on E. Austin onto Spruce Street, which turns into Salt Flat Road.
A volunteer firefighter found Jason Landry’s car crashed and abandoned on the 2300 block around 12:30 a.m. on December 14, says CCSO. The vehicle's lights were still on. A highway patrol trooper had Jason’s car towed. He took his backpack, which contained a few joints, and left.
Hours later, Jason Landry's father Kent Landry found his way to Salt Flat Road. He expected to see flashing police lights and his son. Instead, the road was dark and empty. "I saw deer, three different sets of deer ran by. Coyotes ran by and I didn’t see another car, another person."
The clothing Jason Landry had been wearing, his shoes, even his underwear, were scattered throughout the street. "I found [my son’s] fish. I found where the accident was and I’m the only one who took pictures or video of that." he said.
Kent Landry was able to locate his son’s vehicle at an impound lot. His cellphone was still in the car. No one was searching for him. Kent Landry added, "[the accident scene is] the middle of nowhere. In that hour window, it may very well be possible that there’s not another person in that box except Jason and whoever did whatever they did. Whoever else is involved in this case."
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