DNA confirms identity of Texas student missing since 2020 crash

Key points

• Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the identification on September 23, 2026, following DNA testing by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification.
• Landry disappeared on December 13, 2020, while driving from San Marcos to Missouri City; his vehicle was found crashed near Luling, but he was not.
• A local resident found the remains on September 8, 2026, east of Salt Flat Road between Soda Springs and Biggs Road.
• Investigators state the skeletal remains do not clarify the cause of death, and there is no indication of criminal activity.
• The Landry family has been notified and expressed gratitude for the years-long search efforts by law enforcement and volunteers.

Background

This case has been tracked since the initial disappearance in late 2020. Recent archive entries confirm the September 2026 identification but note that the specific cause of death remains unknown. The discovery follows years of extensive ground and aerial searches by multiple agencies.

How outlets are covering it

ABC13 and KBTX News 3 emphasize the closure of a long-standing case and the lack of foul play. KEYE highlights the specific location of the discovery near Luling. All sources agree on the timeline and the role of DNA testing in confirming the identity.

Why it matters

The identification provides closure for the family and concludes a significant missing person case in Texas. It highlights the effectiveness of long-term cold case investigations and forensic advancements in identifying remains after many years.

What to watch

Investigators will continue to review the case for any additional details, though no further information is expected regarding the cause of death. The family has requested privacy as they process the news.