‘Justin was failed’: Family of father found dead in burning vehicle two years ago still waiting for answers

SAN ANTONIO — It has been more than two years since a father of two was found dead inside his burning vehicle on the far south side of San Antonio.

To this day, his family still does not know exactly what happened to Justin Vodrey but at the time of his death, investigators believe the vehicle was deliberately set on fire.

No arrests have been made in the case and the medical examiner ruled the cause and manner of death, undetermined.

Vodrey had just moved to Pleasanton, Texas days prior to his death for a new job. His sister, Stephanie Gleyre said he was beginning a new chapter.

“It feels like it happened yesterday but then it feels like it’s been forever,” Gleyre said.

Gleyre said she still remembers the moment her family got the phone call about his death.

“I immediately was on my knees screaming and crying and that’s pretty much how we all reacted to it,” She said.

On the night of July 3, 2022, San Antonio Police said Vodrey was out at a bar, Coyote Crossing Saloon. Hours later and 11 miles away, investigators responded to an SUV on fire off Neal Road. Inside they discovered Vodrey’s torched body.

“So, they claim that he was not shot or stabbed or anything in that manner, but he was deceased before they put him in the Tahoe and drove him out to Neal Road,” Gleyre said.

The initial police report states he was found in the back of his SUV with both right-side doors left open. It also states the vehicle’s identification numbers had been destroyed.

Since that report, Gleyre said she has not learned any new information from investigators. She said the family has not heard from a detective for more than a year.

“The biggest fear of mine since I found out he was gone as the case going cold,” Gleyre said. “That is still one of my greatest fears.”

Gleyre said her brother was a loving father of two, including a young man in his 20’s and a young girl who is now 10 years old.

“She doesn’t know exactly what happened so that sugar coats the situation a little bit but she misses him,” Gleyre said.

All she wants is for someone to be held accountable so they can start to heal and gain closure.

“We feel like Justin was failed because there’s nothing,” Gleyre said.

KENS 5 reached out to SAPD for an update on the case. We are waiting to hear back.