“Whether somebody did something, whether somebody chased him, whether he got lost track of the directions that he was going—we don’t know.”
SAN ANTONIO — December marked five years since the disappearance of Jason Landry, a 21-year-old Texas State University student who vanished while driving home for winter break.
Landry left his San Marcos apartment on Dec. 13, 2020, heading to his family’s home in Missouri City. He never arrived.
About 90 minutes after his departure, his car was found wrecked and abandoned on Salt Flat Road.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers responding to the crash discovered several of Landry’s personal belongings roughly 900 feet from the vehicle, including his backpack, ball cap, toiletries and a tumbler containing a dead pet fish.
Landry himself was nowhere to be found.
Despite years of unanswered questions, a group of volunteers remains committed to finding out what happened.
“There’s something about Jason Landry,” said Cyndi Lay, a family advocate and search team leader with the Jason Landry Search Team. “There’s something about Jason that calls people in, that draws people in. We feel called to try to help.”
The Jason Landry Search Team was formed in September 2022 and has since organized nearly 30 searches, typically conducting one search per month from October through May. Lay said she has participated in every search, helping coordinate operations and working directly in the field.
“I also serve as hands-on boots on the ground, organizing the searches,” she said.
Investigators believe Landry left his vehicle after the crash and walked away, leaving items behind as he went, including removing clothing along the way.
“Whether somebody did something, whether somebody chased him, whether he got lost track of the directions that he was going—we don’t know,” Lay said.
The volunteer search team includes people from across Texas and beyond, representing a wide range of backgrounds. Lay described the group as close-knit but focused.
“It’s like a family atmosphere,” she said. “It’s relaxed and comfortable, but we take it very seriously. It’s a very serious job.”
Lay said the team prioritizes safety during searches and continues to evolve as new volunteers join. She emphasized the need for fresh perspectives and continued community involvement.
“We are constantly adding to the Jason Landry Search Team,” Lay said. “We need new volunteers. We need fresh eyes. We need people who are passionate about helping others and passionate about helping the Landrys.”
Though five years have passed since Landry disappeared, Lay said the team has no plans to stop searching or advocating for answers.
“We have to keep moving forward,” she said. “We have to keep our faith, keep our chins up and just keep trying, putting one foot in front of the other.”
The search team does not typically publicize its search efforts but welcomes help from the public. Anyone interested in assisting can email findjasonlandry@gmail.com.