College student’s remains found six years after his disappearance, officials say

CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas (KVUE) — Officials say the remains of a Texas State University student who went missing six years ago have been found.

Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Wednesday that Jason Landry’s remains were officially identified.

Landry, 21, went missing on Dec. 13, 2020.

Paxton said a Caldwell County resident found human remains on Sept. 8 east of Salt Flat Road, between Soda Springs and Biggs Road.

The location is about four miles from where Landry’s vehicle crashed into a tree, which holds a memorial for him.

Volunteer groups searched for years

Shawn Hohnstreiter, co-founder of the search organization TEXSAR, is one of many volunteers who spent time searching for Landry after his disappearance.

“TEXSAR assisted in searches between DPS, Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office and the attorney general’s cold case unit,” Hohnstreiter said.

“We’ve been searching for Jason for nearly six years now,” Hohnstreiter said.

Texas EquuSearch also took part in the investigation.

“We were out there six days later, flying the aircraft. I was out there the 20th, and then I flew in the early morning hours using a thermal camera, looking for heat signatures,” said Gene Robinson of Texas EquuSearch. “And if you can do anything to help bring closure so that they can at least bury their loved ones or to bring them home, it’s just the right thing to do.”

Hohnstreiter brought a challenge coin to the memorial after the search ended.

“This has been a big moment in all of our lives on the SAR side for many years and one that I also I believe deserves the respect,” Hohnstreiter said.

Officials say Landry’s cause of death is unclear, but investigators do not suspect foul play.